Calendar Problems

How to Add a Follow-Up Date and Reminder in Outlook

John Wilson Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to set a follow-up date and a custom reminder for an email in Microsoft Outlook.

How to Add a Follow-Up Date and Reminder in Outlook

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing tasks and ensuring timely responses to important emails by scheduling reminders.
Observed behavior: Needs to configure follow-up flags with specific start dates, due dates, and exact reminder times.

Before you start

Ensure you are using the Outlook desktop application, as the Follow Up feature's availability and custom reminder options depend on your specific Outlook version and email account type.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a Preset Follow-Up Flag

Use this method to quickly mark an email for follow-up today, tomorrow, or next week using the default Outlook preset flags.

This is the fastest way to highlight an email in your inbox and add it to your daily task list without configuring specific times.

Select the email

Open your Outlook inbox and click once on the email you want to flag.

Open the Follow Up menu

Navigate to the Home tab on the top ribbon and locate the Tags group. Click on Follow Up, which is represented by a small red flag icon.

Choose a preset date

From the drop-down menu, select a preset date such as Today, Tomorrow, or Next Week.

Task List Updated: The flagged email will now appear in your To-Do Bar and Daily Task List for the selected date.

Solution 2

Set a Custom Reminder with Exact Date and Time

Use this method if you need an alert to pop up at a specific date and time, or if you want to customize the start and due dates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Follow Up flag option missing or grayed out in Outlook?

The Follow Up feature might be limited depending on your email account type. While Exchange and POP3 accounts fully support custom flags and reminders, some IMAP accounts only support basic flagging without custom date and time reminders.

Can I set a reminder for an email I am sending to someone else?

Yes. When composing a new email, go to the Message tab, click Follow Up, and choose Custom. Check the 'Flag for Recipients' box, set the reminder date and time, and click OK before sending the email.

How do I remove a follow-up flag once the task is complete?

To remove a flag, right-click the flagged email, select Follow Up, and choose Clear Flag. Alternatively, if you want to keep a record of the finished task, choose Mark Complete instead, which turns the red flag into a checkmark.

Where can I view all my flagged emails in Outlook?

You can view all your flagged emails by opening the To-Do Bar on the right side of your Outlook interface. Go to the View tab, click on To-Do Bar, and select Tasks to display all your active follow-ups.

Outlook & Email Problems