Outlook: create distribution list

If you send several messages to different people via Outlook, it is often worthwhile to create a distribution list. We'll show you how it's done.

Create e-mail distribution list or "contact group" in Outlook

1. Open Outlook and go to the "Start" tab if it is not already displayed.
2. Click on "Contacts" in the lower left corner of the menu bar so that the menu changes at the top. Select the "New contact group" option in the "New" group - this is what Microsoft has recently called the tried and tested distribution list.
3. Then a new window opens. In the "Name" field, first enter the name of your distribution list, such as "friends" or "work colleagues". You can select the distribution list later under this name.
4. Now switch to the "Contact Group" tab and click on "Add Members" under the "Members" category.
5. Select either the option "From Outlook contacts", "From address book" or "New e-mail contact". Enter the names or email addresses of the contacts and click on the "OK" button.
6. The distribution list is now saved under the specified name.
7. If you open a new message, you can now enter the name in the address field so that the distribution list is inserted as a recipient.

This practical tip was carried out under Outlook 2010. Among other versions of Office, some functions may be arranged or titled differently. This practical tip shows you how to activate the Out of Office Assistant in Outlook before your next vacation.