The steps to add a contact in Microsoft Outlook depends on the version of Outlook you use. Follow the steps below for the version of Outlook on your computer, including the Outlook.com online e-mail service.

Outlook.com (online e-mail service)

  • When logged in to your Outlook.com e-mail account, click the down arrow next to the Outlook logo and name in the upper-left corner.
  • Click the People option.
  • Click the New option to add a new contact.
  • Enter all the contact’s details.
  • Click Save to save the new contact.

Microsoft Outlook 2013 and later

  • With Microsoft Outlook open, click the People option in the strip at the bottom-left of the screen.
  • Under the Home tab in the Ribbon, click the New Contact option in the “New” section at the top-left.
  • Enter all the contact’s details.
  • If you need to save the newly entered contact and add another contact, click the Save & New option. If you only need to create the newly entered contact, click the Save & Close option.

Microsoft Outlook 2007 and 2010

  • With Microsoft Outlook open, click the Contacts option at the bottom of the left navigation pane.
  • Under the Home tab in the Ribbon, click the New Contact option in the “New” section at the top-left.
  • Enter all the contact’s details.
  • If you need to save the newly entered contact and add another contact, click the Save & New option. If you only need to create the newly entered contact, click the Save & Close option.

Microsoft Outlook 2003

  • With Microsoft Outlook open, click the Contacts option at the bottom of the left navigation pane.
  • In the menu at the top of the window, click File and select the New option. You can also click the New option in the toolbar at the top.
  • Enter all the contact’s details.
  • If you need to save the newly entered contact and add another contact, click the Save & New icon. If you only need to create the newly entered contact, click the Save & Close option.

Benefits of adding contacts

Saving contacts increases your productivity in Microsoft Outlook. Below are examples of the added utility contacts bring.

You can also add a contact by opening an incoming e-mail message, right-click the name of the person you want to create a contact for, and select Add to Outlook Contacts.

You can also add a new contact by opening an incoming e-mail message, right-click the name of the person you want to create a contact for, and select Add to Outlook Contacts.

You can also add a new contact by opening an incoming e-mail message, right-click the name of the person you want to create a contact for, and select Add to Contacts.

  • You no longer need to remember someone’s e-mail address; knowing their name will suffice. Typing a name in an e-mail brings up the contact for the user, and send the e-mail to the user’s primary e-mail address. You can also press Ctrl+K while typing to have the name autocomplete.
  • If you create groups of contacts, you may e-mail multiple people at once. For example, you could create a group of your family contacts and type “Family” in the e-mail to e-mail all your family members. Groups are created in the Address Book section.
  • Setup rules through the Microsoft Rules Wizard to perform certain tasks when receiving an e-mail from a particular user. For example, if you have an important contact, you could create a rule to alert you any time an e-mail comes from them.
  • See our contact and Outlook definition for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Outlook help and support.