Email Search Issues

How to Find Advanced Find in the New Outlook Address Book

Phi Hung Vo Oct 8, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to locate the Advanced Find feature in the new Outlook address book to perform detailed searches for directory contacts.

How to Access Advanced Find in the New Outlook Address Book

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Searching for specific contacts within the global address list or company directory.
Observed behavior: The traditional Advanced Find feature from classic Outlook is not present in the same form in the new Outlook interface.

Before you start

Check the top right corner of your Outlook window to confirm whether the 'New Outlook' toggle is switched on, as the search interface differs significantly from the classic version.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the People Search Bar in New Outlook

Since the legacy Advanced Find is unavailable, use the integrated search bar in the People tab to search your directory sources.

The new Outlook consolidates search functionality into a single, unified search bar. While it lacks the dedicated pop-up dialog of Advanced Find, it allows you to query the global address list and offline directories directly.

Open the People Tab

Launch the new Outlook application and click on the 'People' icon located on the left-side navigation pane.

Access Directory Sources

On the left menu, look under the 'Directory' section to ensure you are viewing the global address list or your organization's directory.

Search for Contacts

Click the search bar at the very top of the application window, type the name or details of the contact you are looking for, and press Enter.

Use the People Search Bar in New Outlook

Provide Feedback to Microsoft: If you find that the new search bar does not meet your needs, you can request the return of Advanced Find by navigating to Help > Feedback in the top ribbon.

Solution 2

Switch Back to Classic Outlook

If your workflow heavily relies on the precise filters of the traditional Advanced Find dialog, temporarily reverting to classic Outlook is the best workaround.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Seamless Office Workflow with WPS Office

If you are exploring alternatives to Microsoft products or need a reliable, cost-effective suite for your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It offers high compatibility with Microsoft Office formats while being completely free and lightweight.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to access the latest installer.
2. Download the Software: Click the 'Free Download' button to download the installer for your operating system.
3. Install and Launch: Run the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up your new office suite.

Free and lightweight office suite for seamless daily productivityFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curveBuilt-in PDF editor and powerful cloud collaboration tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Advanced Find be added back to the new Outlook?

Microsoft is actively developing the new Outlook and adding features based on user feedback. To request the return of Advanced Find, use the Help > Feedback option within the application.

Where is the Global Address List located in the new Outlook?

In the new Outlook, you can access the Global Address List by navigating to the People tab and expanding the 'Directory' section in the left-hand navigation pane.

Can I search by specific fields like department or title in the new Outlook?

While the unified search bar at the top of the new Outlook attempts to parse keywords smartly, it currently lacks the dedicated, fill-in-the-blank field filters (like department or title) that were available in the classic Advanced Find dialog.

Outlook & Email Problems