Microsoft Outlook has a new search box, which we like. The only downside is that the Search tab is now hidden until you click in the search box. Fortunately, there is a way to make sure that this tab stays in place permanently.
If you are using Microsoft 365 (M365) or Office 365 (O365), you should have the new search box. In previous versions of Outlook, the “Search” tab was still visible on the ribbon.
With the arrival of the new search box, this tab is now missing.
It reappears every time you click in the new search box, but only after you clear the automatic drop-down menu. It’s not great for those who like to use the tab instead of the search box. Fortunately, there is a way to get it back!
You will first need to add the Find tab to the main group on the ribbon. We have already covered this, however, in this case the “Search” tab already exists, but the buttons to move it are grayed out.
You can always add it, you just need to be a little sneaky. First, right-click on any of the tabs on the ribbon bar and then select “Customize Ribbon”.
In this panel, change the “Popular Commands” drop-down menu to “All Tabs”.
Scroll down, click “Search,” then select the tab you want it to appear next to in the ribbon. We chose “Show” to be in the same location as before. However, you can place it anywhere you want and then click “Add”.
The “Search” tab will now appear under the tab you have chosen. Click “OK” to continue.
The tab will now be visible all the time.
However, this creates a minor problem. Each time you click in the search box, there will now be two “Search” tabs.
If you don’t mind, you’re done. If this bothers you, however, you can also turn off the “Search” tab that appears whenever you click in the search box.
To do this, right-click on any of the ribbon tabs and then select “Customize the Ribbon” again.
Replace the “Main Tabs” drop-down menu with “All Tabs”.
Scroll down to “Search Tools”, uncheck “Search”, then click “OK”.
Now every time you click in the search box, a second search tab will not appear.
