If you have an email message open, you can reply with an instant message to the sender or the sender and all recipients of the message. On the contact card, on the click the Instant Message icon, as represented by a speech bubble. When you open a message in Outlook 2010, or when it appears in the Reading Pane, the online status of a contact is shown: On the People tab, under Online status and photographs, select or uncheck the Display online status next to name check box. For example, if you are unavailable, you can change your online status to Busy.Ĭlick the File tab to open the Backstage view, and then click Options. You control how your online status is displayed to other people. On the drop-down list, click Reply with IM or Reply All with IM. On the Message tab, in the Respond group, click IM.

Type your message in the lower section of the window, and then press Enter to send. On the contact card, on the click the Instant Message or Send an IM icon, as represented by a speech bubble. Next to the person's name, click the online status indicator. You can send an instant message to any person whose online status indicates anything except Offline. When you open a message in Outlook 2016 or 2013, or when it appears in the Reading Pane, the online status of a contact is shown: These indicators appear for anyone in your Outlook contacts who has an instant messaging address in the IM address text box. How can I tell if my contacts are available?Ī visual representation of your contacts' availability, known as online presence or status, indicates if a person is online and available for a real-time conversation.

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