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Learn how to use the BCC feature in Outlook. We’ll walk you through the steps to add BCC in Outlook for both mobile and desktop. You will also learn what happens when you use BCC in Outlook.
What Does BCC in Email Mean?
BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy”. The main difference, compared to carbon copy (CC) emails, is that while other recipients can see a CC’d person’s email address, they cannot see the email addresses of BCC’d users.
BCC is a useful feature to use if you want to email multiple people but still make it look personalized. For example, you may wish to send a company-wide email at your job but do not want dozens (or hundreds) of recipients to appear in the list of CC’d recipients.
You may also want to add BCC in Outlook (and any other email providers you use) if you’d like other people’s email addresses to remain private. This situation may arise if you’re sending messages to multiple friends who aren’t part of the same friendship group, for example.
Another possible scenario when this could occur is if you want to make a big announcement (e.g., an engagement party). If you mainly use Outlook for work, make sure that you don’t make thesecommon mistakes to avoid in your work emails.
How to Use BCC in Outlook on Your Computer
When learning how to BCC in Outlook on your computer, it’s worth looking at how to do so on both the desktop and web apps. In the following subsections, you’re able to find the specific steps required for each of these.
How to Use BCC in Outlook on the Web App
Before using BCC in Outlook, it’s a good idea to ensure that the feature is always visible. You can change this in your settings:
Click on thesettings iconin the top right-hand corner, which resembles a cog wheel.
SelectEmail > Compose and reply. UnderMessage format, tick the box next toAlways show Bcc.
Click theXbutton to close the window and save your changes. Once your settings have been saved, follow these instructions to use the BCC feature in your messages.
SelectNew email.
Add the contacts you want to BCC in theBccsection, before adding the other recipients and email content/subject.
When you’re ready to share your email with others, tapSend.
How to Use BCC in the Outlook Desktop App
To add BCC in Outlook on your desktop, the steps to show BCC are slightly different on Windows and macOS. Let’s start with the steps for your Mac:
Go toOutlook > Settings.
SelectComposing, which is in theEmailsection.
Tick the box next toShow BCC field by default.
Hit thex buttonwhen you’ve finished.
On Windows:
In some versions of Outlook on Windows, you may be able to go toOptions > Bccinstead.
The steps for adding BCC email addresses are identical regardless of whether you use Windows or macOS. Here are the instructions you should follow.
SelectNew Email.
In theBcctab, type your email addresses.
Fill out the rest of your email and pressSendwhen you’re done.
How to Use BCC in Outlook on Mobile
You can easily add a BCC in Outlook on your smartphone or tablet as well. Follow these instructions to do that.
In addition to manually adding BCC email addresses, you’re able to alsoautomatically CC or BCC yourself in Outlook.
What Happens When You Use BCC in Outlook?
When you use BCC in Outlook, all recipients will receive your email. Each recipient will receive the specific message content exactly how someone who’s either a main recipient or CC’d would. Recipients will also be able to reply to you, but unlike emails where you use CC, they will not be able to include all of the other BCC’d recipients in their message.
