Outlook 2007: Change the Subject Line of Received Emails
Contributed by Rob Rogers 
Tagged: Microsoft Outlook Have you ever received an email containing information that is valuable to you but the subject line in no way reflects the contents of the message? It makes going back and looking for that email a major pain. By changing the subject line of the received email, you can have it better reflect the information contained within.
1. Double-click the desired message to open it.
2. Highlight the existing Subject.
3. Input the desired Subject.
4. Close the message.
5. A dialog box will appear, asking if you want to save the message. Click Yes.
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hwknstx said on October 22, 2008
At work, using Outlook 2003, I can change a subject line, in the inbox list, without opening the e-mail. Thanks for telling me the obvious. Too bad for me that I was looking for something useful, and your help is terrible. If I read “you can” a couple of more times, I will have to try something else. I CAN’T, if you don’t TELL ME HOW
Michelle Ashburner said on October 23, 2008
This info was really obvious – I was hoping for a link that would tell me whether I could change the colour of the text in the subject line
Christie Bales said on November 21, 2008
I found this very helpful. It is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
lockhaca said on January 21, 2009
With Outlook 2007 I tried to change the subject line in the inbox and can’t. In the open mesage, I clicked the Save command on the Quick Access Toolbar before exiting and wasn’t prompted with the saving dialog box.
Dave said on February 11, 2009
Exactly what I needed, thanks.
Chandra Tucker said on April 16, 2009
I am using Right Fax, how do I change the subject line in Right Fax?
Mr HUng said on May 22, 2009
xin vui long cho hoi, Toi dang su dung Microsoft outlook 2003, toi muon THAY DOI FONT va MAU CHU co noi dung thu email moi ( Subject)
Vay lam the nao co the lam duoc dieu nay? xin vui long chi giao
serene said on May 25, 2009
can you change font type at the subject?
MM said on June 18, 2009
THIS DOESN’T WORK WITH OUTLOOK EXCHANGE 2007
MM said on June 18, 2009
update: ok, yes it does but not in READING PANE view; you have to actually open up the message – then, in order to be able to identify it later, i gave it my PERSONAL category color.
Kim said on August 4, 2009
Great Site! Great solutions! Thanks!
Anonymous said on August 28, 2009
To change the subject line without opening the email.
go to >View menu >current views >define views >modify -Current view settings-
>other settings >check the box “Allow in-cell editing
Anonymous said on September 8, 2009
About 75% of the emails I receive from all sources comes across with “SPAM” in the Subject line so when I forward or reply and fail to edit it, it goes out that way too…not what I would like. I have used Outlook for many years and this is the first experience I’ve had like this…
Is this an Outlook function or could it be due to virus protection software? If it is an Outlook issue, how do I stop this from happening? I’ve been through all Junk mail options and elsewhere and don’t find anything about any “SPAM” tag. I appreciate your help.
Scott said on November 19, 2009
Perfect – this is the response that i think most people were looking for. If you want to save some steps, you can also right click the column bar (where from, subject, received etc are) then select “customize current view” – other settings and check “Allow in-cell editing” The downside is that you will have to do this for every folder and each “view” in which you wish to allow in cell editing. Note that you will need to click the e-mail you want to modify (which selects it in the list) then click AGAIN to get into edit mode. Also, if an e-mail has been set as private – you will not be able to change the subject.
Chris P said on November 20, 2009
I lost my subject line.. How do I put in? I have the From, Received, Size and Flag categories but I want my subject category back. How do I do that?
Randy said on December 31, 2009
This option is the only one that makes sense.
The other articles are just talk.
Thanks
Andy Simpson said on January 11, 2010
The subject line change feature is not working in my Outlook 2007. My Outlook was updated from Outlook 2003 today. The feature worked in Outlook 2003.
Anonymous said on January 14, 2010
I like to stop receiving from Top Headlines- TOP MSNBC Headlines-IL
jerry said on March 4, 2010
My problem is, in outlook express I could change the color of my email to reflect the type of email I get like ‘instant payment’ would be in green. I can not figure out a way to do this in outlook 2007. They keep telling me categorize is the answer but don’t work. Any help is gratefully appreciated.
Manish Mehta said on August 4, 2010
Yes, I must appriciate the suggestion. Thank u for exect advice.
Ray Marshall said on August 8, 2010
You are MY HERO. I’ve wished for this for years, but never thought to search for it, thinking it was not possible. And I have Outlook 2000!
Now I have 18 kajillion messages I have to go through and change their subject.
Thanks.
yuli said on December 21, 2010
OMG!!!! This is amazing! Thank you so much. I have to scan in some many documents each day into my email, and could never organize them. You made my day!
Marcia said on January 7, 2011
Outlook 2003, i kept an email to myself in my Inbox for my monthly report. I would then be able to open it, add text, and save it……….multiple times throughout the month. This kept it in front of me as a reminder. Now with 2007 i cant edit the text of the email in my Inbox. Is there a setting somewhere? I have to keep re-emailing it to myself…..ANNOYING. can anyone help?
Root said on February 15, 2011
@Marcia, what is wrong with you? Can’t you use the calendar/tasks/reminders in Outlook? Are you drunk?
You folks who comment here sound like the people who “The IT Crowd” rip on. The things you say are hilariously ignorant – wait, wait, I have to take a screenshot of your comments, prepare to be intertubed!
bhla bhla said on March 2, 2011
Great help. Thank you.
LJ said on August 15, 2011
In my MBP Outlook 2001, I do not have Edit Message selection.
LJ said on August 15, 2011
I mean MBP Outlook 2011.