Last reviewed: 17th August 2026
Quick Answer
You can add a new contact in Outlook 2016 by opening the People view, selecting New Contact, entering the contact details, and then clicking Save & Close.
Steps to Add a Contact in Outlook 2016
Step 1: Open Outlook 2016
Launch the Outlook 2016 application on your computer.
Step 2: Open the People View
Select the People icon from the navigation pane at the bottom of Outlook.
Step 3: Create a New Contact
Under the Home tab, click New Contact.
Step 4: Enter Contact Information
Fill in the required details such as:
- Full Name
- Email Address
- Company
- Job Title
- Phone Number
- Address
Step 5: Save the Contact
After entering the contact information, click Save & Close.
Step 6: Verify the Contact
The newly created contact will now appear in your Outlook Contacts list.
Alternative Method: Add a Contact from an Email Message
Step 1: Open the Email
Open an email from the sender you want to add to your contacts.
Step 2: Right-Click the Sender’s Name
Right-click the sender’s email address or name in the message header.
Step 3: Add to Outlook Contacts
Select Add to Outlook Contacts.
Step 4: Update Contact Information
Review and update any additional details if required.
Step 5: Save the Contact
Click Save & Close to add the contact to your address book.
Common Problems
Unable to See the People Icon
- Ensure Outlook is fully loaded.
- Expand the navigation pane if it is minimized.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 3 to open the People view.
New Contact Option is Greyed Out
- Verify that you have selected the Contacts/People section.
- Restart Outlook and try again.
- Check whether your mailbox profile is functioning correctly.
Contact Does Not Appear After Saving
- Refresh the Contacts folder.
- Verify that the contact was saved in the correct Contacts folder.
- Search for the contact using the Search Contacts option.
Unable to Save Contact
- Ensure all mandatory fields are completed.
- Check your mailbox storage limits.
- Restart Outlook and try again.
Additional Information
Contacts stored in Outlook can be used for email addressing, calendar invitations, and synchronization with Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts.
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