How To Bcc In Outlook

Sending emails to multiple people without sharing everyone's address can be tricky. Using the Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy) feature in Outlook is the perfect solution for protecting privacy and maintaining professional email etiquette. This guide will show you exactly how to find and use the Bcc field across all versions of Outlook, including the desktop app for Windows and Mac, the web version, and the mobile app. We'll walk you through the simple steps and cover common issues to ensure your emails are sent correctly and discreetly every time.

Fast Answer

Enable Bcc Field: In a new email, go to the Options tab.
Click to Show: In the 'Show Fields' group, click Bcc.
Add Recipients: Type email addresses into the newly visible Bcc field.

1-2 minutes Time needed

Beginner Difficulty

Using Cc by mistake Watch out for

Before You Start

An active Outlook email account: You'll need access to your Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or Exchange account.
The Outlook application: This guide covers the desktop, web, and mobile versions of Outlook.
A list of recipient email addresses: Have the addresses you wish to Bcc ready to go.

Check first: Always double-check that you are adding recipients to the Bcc field, not the Cc field. Accidentally using Cc will make all recipient email addresses visible to everyone on the list, defeating the purpose of privacy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open a New Email Message

Your first step is to compose a new email. This process is similar across all versions of Outlook. In the desktop or web app, click the "New Email" or "New Message" button, usually found in the top-left corner of the application. On the mobile app, this is typically a floating button with a plus symbol or a pen icon.

Step 2: Show the Bcc Field in Outlook for Windows

If you're using the desktop version of Outlook on a Windows PC, the Bcc field might be hidden by default. To make it appear, open a new email message. In the message window, click on the "Options" tab in the top ribbon menu. Look for the "Show Fields" section and click the "Bcc" button. The Bcc field will now appear below the Cc field. You only need to do this once; Outlook will remember your preference and show the Bcc field on all future emails.

Step 3: Show the Bcc Field in Outlook for Mac

For those using Outlook on a Mac, the process is very similar. After starting a new email, look at the ribbon menu at the top of the new message window. Click on the "Options" tab. You will see a button labelled "Bcc". Click it to reveal the Bcc address line in your email. Just like the Windows version, this setting will be saved for future messages you compose.

Step 4: Show the Bcc Field in Outlook on the Web

When using Outlook through a web browser (at Outlook.com), the Bcc field is even easier to access. After clicking "New message", look to the far right of the "To" and "Cc" lines. You will see a small text button labelled "Bcc". Simply click this link, and the Bcc field will instantly appear, ready for you to add recipients.

Tip: In the web version, you have to click the "Bcc" link each time you want to use it, unless you change your settings permanently in the "Compose and reply" options.

Step 5: Access the Bcc Field in the Outlook Mobile App

On your smartphone or tablet, the Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android keeps things streamlined. When you compose a new email, you will typically only see the "To" field at first. Look for a "Cc/Bcc" button or dropdown arrow to the right of the "To" field. Tapping this will expand the view to show both the Cc and Bcc input fields.

Step 6: Add Recipients and Compose Your Email

With the Bcc field visible, you can now add your recipients. Click inside the Bcc field and begin typing the email addresses. You can separate multiple addresses with a semicolon (;). Add your primary recipient(s) to the "To" field, or for complete privacy, you can put your own email address in the "To" field and all other recipients in the Bcc field. Fill in your subject line and write the body of your email as you normally would.

Step 7: Send the Email

Before you send, take a moment to review the addresses in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields to make sure everyone is in the right place. Once you are satisfied, click the "Send" button. Your email will be delivered to everyone. The people in the To and Cc fields will see each other, but no one will be able to see the names or email addresses of the people you placed in the Bcc field.

Common Problems When You Bcc In Outlook

Even though using Bcc is straightforward, a few common issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot them.

The Bcc Field Has Disappeared

If the Bcc field is suddenly missing, you have likely just had your Outlook settings reset or are using a different computer. Simply repeat the steps for your version of Outlook (from the Options tab in the desktop app or by clicking the Bcc link on the web) to make it visible again.

A Bcc Recipient Clicked "Reply All"

This is a critical point of confusion. If someone you Bcc'd clicks "Reply", their response will only go to you (the original sender). However, if they click "Reply All", their response will go to you and everyone in the original "To" and "Cc" fields. This action reveals their email address to the main recipients. It will not, however, reveal them to any other Bcc recipients. It's a good practice to gently remind recipients if you suspect they might "Reply All" inappropriately.

Bcc Emails are Flagged as Spam

Email servers can be suspicious of messages with a large number of Bcc recipients and an empty "To" field. This pattern resembles how spammers operate. To avoid your email being sent to the junk folder, always put at least one address in the "To" field. The best practice is to put your own email address in the "To" field when sending a mass Bcc.

You Can't See Who You Bcc'd After Sending

Wondering if you included the right people? Don't worry, Outlook keeps a record for you. Go to your "Sent Items" folder and open the email you sent. In your view, you will be able to see the Bcc field and a complete list of everyone you sent the message to.

Advanced Tips for Bcc in Outlook

Once you've mastered the basics, these advanced techniques can help you use Bcc more effectively.

Use "Undisclosed Recipients" for a Professional Touch

For newsletters or announcements, sending from "Undisclosed Recipients" looks clean and professional. To do this, create a new contact in Outlook. Set the display name to "Undisclosed Recipients" and use your own email address. Now, when you compose an email, add "Undisclosed Recipients" to the "To" field and put your entire mailing list in the Bcc field. This clearly communicates to each recipient that their privacy is being respected.

Create a Contact Group for Frequent Bcc Lists

If you regularly Bcc the same group of people (like a project team or a committee), save time by creating a Contact Group (formerly known as a Distribution List). In the "People" section of Outlook, create a new Contact Group and add all the relevant members. Then, when you compose a new email, you can simply type the name of the group into the Bcc field, and Outlook will automatically include everyone.

Combine Bcc with Outlook's Quick Steps

Quick Steps is a powerful feature in the desktop version of Outlook that lets you automate multi-step tasks. You can create a Quick Step that starts a new email to a specific person, automatically opens the Bcc field, and even pre-fills a subject line. This is great for routine tasks like sending a weekly report where you always need to Bcc your manager.

Quick Reference

Situation	Use this	Why
Sending a message to the main recipients who need to act on it.	To:	Everyone in the "To" field is a primary recipient and can see all other primary and Cc recipients.
Keeping someone informed, but no action is required from them.	Cc: (Carbon Copy)	Cc recipients are visible to everyone. It's used to keep people in the loop transparently.
Sending a copy to someone while protecting their privacy from other recipients.	Bcc: (Blind Carbon Copy)	Bcc recipients are hidden from everyone else on the email chain. This is essential for privacy.
Sending an email to a large group without sharing everyone's address.	Your own email in To:, everyone else in Bcc:	This protects everyone's privacy and helps avoid spam filters.

How To Bcc In Outlook FAQ

Can Bcc recipients see each other?

No. The primary function of Bcc is to make each recipient in that field "blind" to all the others. An individual on the Bcc list will see the sender and the addresses in the "To" and "Cc" fields, but none of the other Bcc recipients.

What is the difference between Cc and Bcc?

Cc stands for Carbon Copy, and Bcc stands for Blind Carbon Copy. When you Cc someone, their email address is visible to all other recipients. When you Bcc someone, their email address is hidden from everyone. Use Cc for transparency and Bcc for privacy.

Is there a limit on how many people I can Bcc in Outlook?

Yes. Microsoft imposes sending limits to prevent spam. For a standard Microsoft 365 account, you can typically send an email to a maximum of 500 recipients at once (including To, Cc, and Bcc combined). There are also daily limits. If you need to email more people, you should use a dedicated email marketing service.

If I Bcc someone, can they see the attachments?

Yes. Bcc recipients receive an identical copy of the email, including all attachments, images, and formatting. The only thing that is removed is the list of other Bcc recipients.

Can I tell if I was a Bcc recipient on an email?

The only way to know for sure is if your email address is not listed in either the "To" or "Cc" fields of the email you received. If you received the message but don't see your name, you were on the Bcc list.

Final Checklist for Bcc in Outlook

Confirm the Bcc field is visible: Before adding addresses, make sure you have enabled the Bcc field from the "Options" tab or link.
Choose Bcc, not Cc: Double-check that your private list of recipients is in the correct field. A simple mistake here can cause privacy issues.
Use 'To' field wisely: For mass mailings, place your own address in the "To" field to improve deliverability and appear more professional.
Review before sending: Take a final look at all recipient fields to ensure the right people are in the right places.
Understand "Reply All": Be aware that a Bcc recipient who clicks "Reply All" will become visible to the main "To" and "Cc" recipients.