Contact Problems

How to Add a Cc Recipient When Replying in Outlook

Rana Garcia Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to add a carbon copy (Cc) recipient while replying to an existing email across different versions of Microsoft Outlook.

How to Add a Cc Recipient When Replying to an Email in Outlook

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web
Scenario: Replying to an existing email thread and needing to include additional recipients in the conversation.
Observed behavior: The user needs to locate the specific user interface option to expose the Cc field during an email reply.

Before you start

Determine which version of Outlook you are currently using (Web, Windows, Mac, or Mobile), as the exact location of the Cc field varies slightly across different platforms.

Solution 1Recommended

Adding a Cc Recipient in Outlook on the Web and New Outlook for Windows

Use this method if you are accessing Outlook through a web browser or using the latest New Outlook client for Windows.

In the updated interfaces for web and Windows, the recipient fields are streamlined to save space. You will need to reveal the Cc field manually if you are doing a standard reply.

Initiate the reply

Open the email message you want to respond to and click the 'Reply' button.

Open Options

Click on 'Options' in the message compose formatting ribbon.

Reveal the Cc field

Select 'Show Cc' from the menu to make the Carbon Copy field visible.

Enter the recipient

Type the email address or contact name of the person you want to include in the Cc field.

Adding a Cc Recipient in Outlook on the Web and New Outlook for Windows

Reply All Shortcut: If you want to include people who were already copied on the original email, simply clicking 'Reply All' will automatically populate the Cc field with those contacts.

Solution 2

Adding a Cc Recipient in Outlook for Mac

Follow these instructions if you are using the Microsoft Outlook desktop application on macOS.

Solution 3

Adding a Cc Recipient in Outlook Mobile

Steps to include a Cc recipient when replying from the Outlook app on your smartphone or tablet.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Cc and Bcc when replying?

Cc (Carbon Copy) is used to keep others in the loop visibly, meaning everyone on the email can see their address. Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy) hides the recipient's email address from everyone else on the thread.

Why can't I see the Cc field by default when replying?

To save screen space and keep the interface uncluttered, Outlook often hides the Cc and Bcc fields during a quick reply until you manually expand the recipient options.

Does 'Reply All' automatically include previous Cc recipients?

Yes, when you select 'Reply All', anyone who was included in the original 'To' and 'Cc' fields will automatically be added to your reply.

Can I make the Cc field always visible in Outlook desktop?

Yes, in the classic Outlook desktop app, you can pop out the reply window, go to the Options tab, and select 'Cc' or 'Bcc'. This often saves your preference for future pop-out emails.

Outlook & Email Problems