If you’ve ever sent an important email in Microsoft Outlook 2013 and worried it might get lost in your recipient’s crowded inbox, setting the priority of an email in Outlook 2013 can help. Outlook allows you to mark your messages as High, Normal, or Low priority, ensuring the recipient knows how urgent your email is.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what email priority means, why it matters, and exactly how to set it in Outlook 2013. By the end, you’ll be able to send messages that stand out, get faster responses, and improve your email communication efficiency.
Key Takeaways
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Outlook 2013 lets you assign email priorities: High, Normal, or Low.
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Setting priority makes your message stand out in the recipient’s inbox.
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High-priority emails display a red exclamation mark; low-priority emails show a blue down arrow.
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You can set email priority on individual messages or apply rules to automate it.
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Use priority wisely—overusing “High” can make it less effective.
What Does Email Priority Mean in Outlook 2013?
Email priority in Outlook 2013 is a feature that lets you label your messages with urgency levels. When you send an email, you can mark it as:
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High importance – urgent and requires immediate attention.
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Normal importance – standard communication.
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Low importance – informational, non-urgent updates.
Think of it like traffic lights for your inbox:
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🔴 Red = High priority (act now)
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🟡 Yellow/None = Normal (no rush)
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🔵 Blue = Low (read when convenient)
Why Should You Set Email Priority in Outlook?
Ever wondered why some emails get answered right away while others sit unread for days? The answer often lies in visibility.
By setting email priority:
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✅ Your recipient notices the urgency immediately.
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✅ Important emails don’t get buried in the inbox.
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✅ You can manage your own sent items better.
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✅ Teams respond faster to time-sensitive issues.
Without it, your email risks becoming just another unread message.
Different Priority Levels Explained
Outlook 2013 offers three priority levels. Here’s a quick comparison table:
| Priority Level | Icon | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Red exclamation mark ❗ | Urgent tasks, deadlines, emergencies | “Server down – immediate action needed” |
| Normal | None (default) | Everyday communication | “Weekly meeting agenda” |
| Low | Blue down arrow 🔽 | FYI messages, non-urgent info | “Company newsletter” |
How to Set the Priority of an Email in Outlook 2013 (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the simple process to set email importance before sending:
Step 1: Open Outlook 2013
Launch Microsoft Outlook 2013 from your desktop or Start menu.
Step 2: Create a New Email
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Click Home > New Email.
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A new message window will open.
Step 3: Access Message Options
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Go to the Message tab in the ribbon.
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Look for the Tags group.
Step 4: Choose the Priority Level
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Click High Importance (red exclamation mark) or Low Importance (blue arrow).
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If you leave it unchanged, the email will send with Normal priority.
Step 5: Send the Email
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Complete your subject and body.
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Click Send.
👉 Now your email will carry a clear priority marker in the recipient’s inbox.
Setting Priority for All Emails Automatically
Want every email you send to have a specific importance by default? Here’s how:
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In Outlook 2013, go to File > Options.
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Select Mail from the left panel.
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Scroll down to the Send messages section.
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Under “Default importance level,” choose High, Normal, or Low.
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Click OK to save.
This saves you from manually setting it every time.
Changing Priority of an Email After Sending
Unfortunately, once an email is sent, you cannot change its priority in the recipient’s inbox.
However, you can:
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Recall the message (if using Exchange server and conditions allow).
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Resend the message with the corrected priority.
So, always double-check before hitting Send.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Setting Priority in Outlook 2013
Speed up your workflow with these shortcuts:
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High Importance:
Alt + H + I -
Low Importance:
Alt + H + L
These work inside the message composition window.
Tips for Using Email Priority Effectively
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✅ Use High priority sparingly—only for urgent matters.
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✅ Pair priority with a clear subject line. Example: “URGENT: Submit financial report by 2 PM.”
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✅ For Low priority, explain why it’s not urgent (“For later reference”).
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✅ Combine with Outlook Follow Up flags for even better tracking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Marking all emails as High priority—people will start ignoring them.
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❌ Forgetting to set priority when deadlines matter.
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❌ Assuming priority guarantees faster delivery—it only signals importance.
How Priority Looks to Your Recipient
Recipients will see:
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High importance: Red exclamation mark next to the subject.
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Low importance: Blue down arrow.
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Normal importance: No special icon.
In Outlook 2013, these markers appear in the Inbox column and the message header.
When Should You Use High Priority Emails?
Examples include:
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Deadline changes.
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System outages.
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Client requests requiring same-day response.
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Emergencies in project timelines.
When Should You Use Low Priority Emails?
Examples include:
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Company newsletters.
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Informational memos.
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FYI-only reports.
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Background documents for optional reading.
Troubleshooting Priority Issues in Outlook 2013
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Recipient doesn’t see priority icons → They might use a non-Outlook email client.
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Priority not saving → Check default settings under File > Options > Mail.
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Keyboard shortcuts not working → Ensure the message window is active, not minimized.
Best Practices for Professional Email Communication
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Keep emails short, clear, and structured.
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Use priority as a signal, not a demand.
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Support priority with deadlines and context.
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Avoid ALL CAPS in subject lines—priority markers already draw attention.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to set the priority of an email in Outlook 2013 is a small step that makes a big difference in how your messages are received. With just a click, you can highlight urgent requests, de-emphasize casual updates, and make communication smoother for everyone.
Use it wisely, combine it with clear writing, and your emails will never go unnoticed again.
FAQs
1. Can I change the priority of an email after it’s sent in Outlook 2013?
No, once an email is sent, its priority cannot be changed. You would need to resend it.
2. Does setting high priority make an email deliver faster?
No, priority only affects how the email is displayed—it doesn’t speed up delivery.
3. Can recipients disable priority markers in Outlook?
Some email clients may not display them, but in Outlook 2013 they always appear.
4. Is there a way to automate high priority for specific contacts?
Yes, you can create Outlook Rules to assign importance based on sender, keywords, or conditions.
5. Should I use high priority for business emails often?
No. Use it sparingly, only when urgency is real, to maintain credibility.