Outlook (MacOS) "Find Related" Function Issues

Question

Outlook (MacOS) "Find Related" Function Issues

John Gallagher 30

When I use the function, whether Sender or Conversation, the search bar is populated by an XML statement rather than what it usually shows (see below)

By Sender:

<Z name=/Outlook/Search/Keywords/from comment='[tag:Apex-OLK-4998700]This translation should match with 3s translations else it will not work.'>from</Z><Z name=/outlook/search/keywordmarker>:</Z>"******@XXXX.COM"

By Conversation:

<Z name=/Outlook/Search/Keywords/conversationtopic comment='[tag:Apex-OLK-7019011]This translation should match with 3s translations else it will not work.'>ConversationTopic</Z><Z name=/outlook/search/keywordmarker>:</Z>"XXXXXXX"

Has anyone had this issue today/recently/ever? Any luck in finding a solution? This is a function that I use a lot.

Michael Margolis 10 Reputation points

2026-07-27T14:27:01.7466667+00:00

I am having issues with Version 16.111.1 on a mac using Legacy Outlook:

Search is completely disabled. I reindexed spotlight, and the search works in the disgusting cartoonish New Outlook, but not in Legacy.

I see mention above for somehow reverting back to 16.111 but I don't know how to do that. Can someone please explain it?

Dear Lord, does no one actually test these new versions before they release them?

I do have five different email addresses in Outlook.
Michael Margolis 10 Reputation points

2026-07-27T16:37:45.2633333+00:00

I tried beta 16.112 has the same issues of no search in Legacy. I refuse to use the "new" Mac Outlook, it is hideous. I reindexed Outlook 16.112 and it still won't search in Legacy.

May I please have detailed instructions on how to revert back to 16.111?

Answer accepted by question author

Anseh 85

I just had the same issue today (macOS). I contacted support and apparently there's already a beta-build with a fix. Just installed the beta and it works again!

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Your answer

Michael Margolis 10 Reputation points

2026-07-27T14:27:01.7466667+00:00

I am having issues with Version 16.111.1 on a mac using Legacy Outlook:

Search is completely disabled. I reindexed spotlight, and the search works in the disgusting cartoonish New Outlook, but not in Legacy.

I see mention above for somehow reverting back to 16.111 but I don't know how to do that. Can someone please explain it?

Dear Lord, does no one actually test these new versions before they release them?

I do have five different email addresses in Outlook.
Michael Margolis 10 Reputation points

2026-07-27T16:37:45.2633333+00:00

I tried beta 16.112 has the same issues of no search in Legacy. I refuse to use the "new" Mac Outlook, it is hideous. I reindexed Outlook 16.112 and it still won't search in Legacy.

May I please have detailed instructions on how to revert back to 16.111?

Answer 1

Jay Tr 14,310 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi John,

Thank you for reaching out.

What you’re seeing in the search bar looks like Outlook showing its internal search filter text instead of the normal readable labels, such as From: or ConversationTopic:. Your mailbox and emails should not be affected by this. It appears to be a display issue in the Outlook app, usually related to the client version, cache, or an update problem.

You can try the steps below:

Check your Outlook version and install updates

Please open Outlook and go to Outlook > About Outlook to check the current version and build number. Please take note of that information in case we need to review it later.

User's image

After that, go to Help > Check for Updates to open Microsoft AutoUpdate.

User's image

If any updates are available, install them, then close and reopen Outlook. This kind of display issue can sometimes happen when the app is outdated or when an update did not apply cleanly.

Clear the Outlook cache

Make sure your computer is connected to the server.
On the Outlook toolbar, go to Tools > Accounts.
In the list, select the account you want to reset.
On the bottom, select the Manage option and select Reset Account from the list.

Use New Outlook for Mac or Outlook on the web

Please also try the same search in New Outlook for Mac, if available, or in Outlook on the web.

You can switch to New Outlook for Mac by selecting “Outlook” from the top left of the Outlook menu bar, then deselect “Legacy Outlook” from the given option.

User's image

If the search displays normally there, the issue is likely limited to the Legacy Outlook for Mac client rather than the mailbox itself.

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow the steps above and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can continue working together to resolve the issue.

If you found the response useful, please consider marking it as accepted, as this may help other community members who are looking for similar guidance.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

John Gallagher 30 Reputation points

2026-07-24T18:42:56.33+00:00
Hi Jay! Thanks for your reply!

I should have clarified - I am using New Outlook already.

Agree that it's a display issue in the search bar, but the result of the search (no matter what conversation or sender I use) is "No Results" (when in fact I know there are results becuase I see them when I search normally (i.e. "subject:(XXXXXX)" will come up with the whole conversation that I was trying to use the find related functions; from:(******@XXXX.COM)" works as well).

Check your Outlook version and install updates I'm on version 16.111.1, installed on 7/22/2026 - so no new updates available.

Clear the Outlook cache I cleared the cache (reset the account); no success.

Use New Outlook for Mac or Outlook on the web I am using new outlook already - that's what I'm having the issue with. The "Find Related" functionality is not available in Legacy Outlook. The functionality works on Outlook on the Web. The solution to a bug cannot be "the desktop app doesn't work, use the web app".

Further Update:

I added a #4 to your list; Uninstall Outlook and Download/Install the previous update (16.111 released 7/14/26). The issue does not exist in this build.

I tried to update the app to 16.111.1 after confirming the functionality works in 16.111; the bug returned.

I have confirmed that the same bug exists on the three MacOS devices that i have access to at work. Each with a different outlook profile/account with the 16.111.1 build.
John Gallagher 30 Reputation points

2026-07-24T18:43:43.91+00:00
Hi Jay! Thanks for your reply!

I should have clarified - I am using New Outlook already.

Agree that it's a display issue in the search bar, but the result of the search (no matter what conversation or sender I use) is "No Results" (when in fact I know there are results becuase I see them when I search normally (i.e. "subject:(XXXXXX)" will come up with the whole conversation that I was trying to use the find related functions; from:(******@XXXX.COM)" works as well).

Check your Outlook version and install updates I'm on version 16.111.1, installed on 7/22/2026 - so no new updates available.

Clear the Outlook cache I cleared the cache (reset the account); no success.

Use New Outlook for Mac or Outlook on the web I am using new outlook already - that's what I'm having the issue with. The "Find Related" functionality is not available in Legacy Outlook. The functionality works on Outlook on the Web. The solution to a bug cannot be "the desktop app doesn't work, use the web app".

Further Update:

I added a #4 to your list; Uninstall Outlook and Download/Install the previous update (16.111 released 7/14/26). The issue does not exist in this build.

I tried to update the app to 16.111.1 after confirming the functionality works in 16.111; the bug returned.

I have confirmed that the same bug exists on the three MacOS devices that i have access to at work. Each with a different outlook profile/account with the 16.111.1 build.
Matt 5 Reputation points

2026-07-24T19:32:00.81+00:00

We can also confirm this issues exists in Mac Outlook (New) 16.111.1 across multiple systems. We've filed in-app feedback via Outlook's Help > Feedback > Report a Problem option, however this thread came up first in a search for ``Apex-OLK-` so figured we would chime in here as well.

@Jay Tr — hopefully there is a way this can be kicked over to the devs if they aren't already aware of it? (but as it seems to affect every built-in Find option in the app short of just plain ol' typing into the search box hopefully they are aware of it just from unit testing or QA processes…)

Edit: via Outlook's "Contact Support" chat, this is apparently "confirmed as a new known issue" with a fix rolling out in the latest Beta version. I haven't yet moved to the beta track to test but at least it's (apparently) on the radar!
Jay Tr 14,310 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T21:28:45.13+00:00

Hi John,

Thank you for the update and for taking the time to test this across multiple devices and Outlook versions.

Based on your testing, it appears the issue is specific to Outlook for Mac version 16.111.1, as the functionality works as expected in version 16.111 and the problem returns after updating to 16.111.1.

Since you have confirmed the same behavior across multiple macOS devices, different Outlook profiles, and accounts, this does point to a product issue rather than something specific to a particular device or mailbox.

For the time being, I recommend continuing to use the stable 16.111 build as a workaround. As Anseh mentioned earlier in the thread, the issue has already been identified, and the best approach is to remain on the stable version and wait for a future Outlook update that includes a fix.

Thank you again for sharing your findings. The additional testing information helps confirm the scope of the issue and may assist others experiencing the same behavior.
Jay Tr 14,310 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T21:31:34+00:00

Hi Matt,

Thank you for providing the extra details and for the update from your testing.

From what you've described, the issue is reproducible in New Outlook for Mac version 16.111.1 across multiple systems, which points to a broader problem rather than something tied to a single profile, account, or device setup. The fact that it has also been logged through Outlook's in app feedback channel and confirmed by Outlook Support as a known issue is consistent with what other users are reporting.

For now, the most reliable option is to stay on a stable Outlook version, or use any available workaround, until a fix is delivered in a future update. Since the problem has reportedly been resolved in the latest Beta build, the development team appears to be aware of it and is already preparing a wider rollout of the fix.

I appreciate you taking the time to confirm the behavior across several devices and for passing along the update from Outlook Support. This really helps clarify the scope of the issue and will likely benefit others running into the same thing.