How to Change Pane View in Outlook

To change the pane view in Outlook, open View, choose Layout if your version shows it, then select a position for the Reading pane—usually Right, Bottom, or Off/Hide. If you mean the navigation area with your folders, change the Folder pane instead. The steps below cover both, with notes for Outlook on Windows, Mac, and the web.

Changing a pane’s position gives you more room for the message list, makes it easier to preview email, or hides navigation you do not need. You can switch back at any time; changing these display options does not delete messages or folders.

What You’ll Need

Access to Outlook on a Windows PC, Mac, or in a web browser.
A mailbox open with the message list visible. If you use several accounts, confirm you are in the mailbox whose layout you want to adjust.
A few seconds to try the available layouts. Some versions use slightly different names or put the controls in different places.

Step-by-Step

Identify which pane you want to change. The Reading pane displays the contents of a selected email beside or below the message list. The Folder pane shows mail folders such as Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts. The To-Do Bar or calendar area is a separate feature, not the Reading pane. If email previews are the issue, change the Reading pane; if the folder list is taking up room, change the Folder pane.
Open the view controls. In classic Outlook for Windows, select the View tab on the ribbon. In new Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the web, select View near the top of the window and look for Layout. In Outlook for Mac, use View in the menu bar. If you do not see the same wording, check whether you are using classic or new Outlook; their layouts are not identical.
Choose the Reading pane position. In classic Outlook for Windows, select View > Reading Pane. Choose Right to show email beside the message list, Bottom to show it below the list, or Off to hide the preview. In new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web, open View > Layout > Reading pane, then select the position offered, such as Right, Bottom, or Hide. On Mac, open View > Reading Pane and select a position or turn it off. The pane should change as soon as you select an option.
Compare Right and Bottom before settling on one. Right is useful on a wide display because the message and list can sit side by side. Bottom can work better in a narrow window, since the message gets the full width. If either option makes the list or message too cramped, choose the other position or turn the pane off. You can repeat the selection whenever your screen setup changes.
Resize the pane if needed. When the Reading pane is visible, move the pointer over the divider between it and the message list. When the pointer changes to a resize cursor, drag the divider to give either area more space. The divider may be difficult to grab if the Outlook window is narrow; maximize the window, then try again. Some web or app layouts may limit how much the pane can be resized.
Change the Folder pane if that is the area you meant. In classic Outlook for Windows, select View > Folder Pane and choose an available option such as Normal, Minimized, or Off. Depending on the Outlook build, Favorites may also appear as a choice. In new Outlook or Outlook on the web, look under View > Layout > Folder pane for a show, hide, or folder-pane option. On Mac, use the folder/navigation controls under View if available. If you hide the pane, use the navigation or folder button to bring it back.
Check what happens when you select a message. Click an email in the list. With the Reading pane on, its contents should appear in the selected position. If it does not, verify that you selected a message rather than a folder, and that the message is not still loading. Selecting a different message is a quick way to confirm the preview is working.
Review the mark-as-read behavior separately. The Reading pane’s position does not itself decide when Outlook marks a message as read. In classic Outlook for Windows, open File > Options > Advanced and find the Outlook panes section, then select Reading Pane to review its settings. Other Outlook versions may provide reading-pane options in Settings. If unread messages become read sooner than you want, adjust that behavior rather than changing Right, Bottom, or Off.
Check the result in the mailbox you use. Switch between Inbox and another folder and see whether the arrangement remains useful. If you work with multiple accounts or devices, do not assume every version will use the same layout; verify each Outlook app where you read mail. When the result is not right, return to the same View or Layout menu and select another option.

Common Mistakes

Changing the wrong pane. The Reading pane previews a message; the Folder pane lists folders. Hiding one will not change the other. Identify the area by its contents before selecting a setting.
Looking for the same menu in every Outlook version. Classic Outlook for Windows has a ribbon tab, while new Outlook and the web commonly group display options under View and Layout. Mac menus can differ as well. If a named command is missing, check which Outlook version is open instead of assuming the feature has been removed.
Choosing Off when you only wanted a different position. Off or Hide removes the preview area. Choose Right or Bottom if you still want to read email without opening a separate message window.
Dragging the wrong divider. Outlook has borders around several areas. Start at the line separating the message list from the preview, not the edge between the folder list and message list. If resizing is awkward, select a different pane position from the menu.
Expecting the layout control to change message density. Pane position changes where the preview or folders appear. It does not necessarily change text size, row spacing, or the number of messages displayed. Look for separate view, zoom, or message-list settings for those changes.
Confusing a display change with a mail setting. A message being marked read, a focused inbox, or a collapsed folder list can look like a pane problem. Adjust the relevant setting rather than repeatedly changing the pane arrangement.

Tips

Match the layout to your screen. On a widescreen monitor, Right often makes good use of horizontal space. On a smaller laptop or a narrow browser window, Bottom can leave more room for message subjects. Off is a reasonable choice when you want to scan the list without displaying message contents.
Try a temporary change first. Switch from Right to Bottom, open a few messages, and then decide. The setting is reversible, so you do not need to worry about losing email or permanently changing your mailbox.
Use a wider window before resizing. A maximized Outlook window makes the divider easier to locate and provides a clearer view of the available space. After changing the pane width, restore the window and check whether the layout still works at your usual size.
Keep folder access in mind. If you minimize or hide the Folder pane, learn where its expand or navigation control is in your version before you need to open another folder. In some layouts, Favorites or a compact navigation strip can keep key folders accessible.
Make one change at a time. If you alter the Reading pane, Folder pane, and mark-as-read options together, it is harder to tell which change solved the problem. Change the layout first, test it, and then adjust other settings only if needed.
Use the same account and app when checking. A preference may appear different in another Outlook client, browser, or profile. Test in the same mailbox and app you normally use before concluding that the setting did not save.

Troubleshooting

The pane option is missing. First confirm whether you are in classic Outlook, new Outlook, Outlook for Mac, or Outlook on the web. In classic Windows Outlook, start at the View ribbon tab. In new Outlook and the web, look under View and Layout. If the window is narrow, maximize it or open the overflow menu, as some controls may be tucked away. Work or school accounts can also have app versions and policies managed by an organization.

The Reading pane is selected, but no message appears. Click a message in the message list and wait briefly for it to load. Make sure the pane is set to Right or Bottom rather than Off or Hide. If the preview still stays blank, open the message in its own window. Then refresh Outlook on the web or close and reopen the desktop app. If only one message fails, the issue may be with that message rather than the layout.

The Folder pane disappeared. Return to the Folder pane or Layout controls and choose the show, normal, or expanded option. In classic Outlook for Windows, use View > Folder Pane > Normal when that option is available. In new Outlook or the web, look for the folder-pane toggle under View > Layout. If you only see a narrow icon strip, select its folder or navigation control to expand it.

The change does not seem to stick. Reopen the relevant menu and check which option is selected. If the layout resets after you restart Outlook, install available Office updates, restart the app, and test again. For Outlook on the web, refresh the page and check that browser zoom or a narrow window is not hiding part of the layout. If the issue affects a managed work account, ask your IT administrator whether organization settings control the experience.

The pane is too narrow or wide. Drag its divider when possible, or switch between Right and Bottom to change the available space. If the divider will not move, maximize the window and try again. Some versions do not allow precise resizing in every layout, so choosing a different position may be the practical fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I move the Outlook Reading pane to the bottom?
Open the View controls and select Bottom under Reading pane. In classic Outlook for Windows, use View > Reading Pane > Bottom. In new Outlook or the web, look under View > Layout > Reading pane.

How do I turn off the Reading pane in Outlook?
Choose Off or Hide from the Reading pane menu. This removes the message preview area, but your messages remain in the mailbox and can still be opened by double-clicking or selecting them, depending on your version.

Can I change the Folder pane without changing the Reading pane?
Yes. They are separate layout controls. Use the Folder pane option to show, minimize, or hide the folder list, and use the Reading pane option to move or hide the email preview.

Why does Outlook mark messages as read when I preview them?
That behavior is controlled by Reading Pane settings, not by whether the pane is on the right or bottom. Review the mark-as-read options in Outlook settings. In classic Windows Outlook, find them through File > Options > Advanced > Outlook panes > Reading Pane.

Will changing the pane view affect Outlook on my other devices?
Not necessarily. Layout preferences can vary by Outlook version, device, and account. Check the arrangement in each app where you use the mailbox rather than assuming a desktop change will appear identically on the web or Mac.

Can I make the Reading pane wider?
Usually, you can drag the divider between the message list and the preview. If it is hard to move, maximize Outlook first. If your version or window size does not allow enough width, use Bottom or open the message in its own window.

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