How to Separate Email Recipients With Commas in Outlook

This article explains how to separate email addresses with commas in Outlook. Instructions apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, Outlook.com, and Outlook for Microsoft 365.

How to Make Outlook Allow Commas to Separate Multiple Email Recipients

To have Outlook see commas when separating multiple email recipients:

1. Go to the File tab and select Options.

2. Select the Mail category.

3. In the Send messages section, select the Commas can be used to separate multiple message recipients check box.

4. Select OK.

Why Comma Separators Don't Work in Outlook

In most email programs, it's common practice to separate the names of email recipients with commas. However, in Outlook, the semicolon is used to separate email recipients. If you'd rather use a comma, change the Outlook settings.

If commas are used to separate recipients in Outlook, a "name could not be resolved" message will appear. This means that Outlook doesn't understand the syntax used when typing the recipient addresses.

Outlook interprets commas as separating the last name from a first name. For example, if you enter she@example.com, Mark, Outlook will read the recipient as Mark she@example.com.

How to Allow Commas to Separate Multiple Email Recipients in Outlook.com

Outlook.com automatically recognizes a comma between email addresses as the separator between contacts.

1. In the To text box, enter an email address, then type a comma.

2. Outlook.com searches for that contact in your contact list. If it finds it, it inserts the contact. If it doesn't find it, it accepts the email address you typed and places a box around it.

3. When you finish adding recipient emails separated by commas, compose the message and select Send to finish.