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How to automatically expand all folders when starting Outlook?

Typically, when you expand or collapse a folder in Outlook's Navigation Pane and subsequently close the program, the folder retains its expanded or collapsed state upon reopening Outlook. However, what if you want all folders to be automatically expanded every time you start Outlook? This article provides a VBA solution to achieve just that.

Automatically expand all folders when starting Outlook using VBA

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arrow blue right bubble Automatically expand all folders when starting Outlook using VBA

This guide will demonstrate how to use a VBA script to automatically expand all folders in the Navigation Pane each time you launch Outlook. Follow these steps to implement the VBA script:

  1. Press Alt + F11 keys simultaneously to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
  2. Expand the Project 1 and Microsoft Outlook Objects in the Project pane, double click to open the ThisOutlookSession window, and then paste the below VBA code into it.

    VBA: Automatically expand all folders in Outlook

    Public WithEvents GEx As Explorer
    Public GFlag As Boolean
    Private Sub Application_Startup()
      'Update by ExtendOffice 2023/12/08
      Set GEx = Application.ActiveExplorer
      GFlag = False
    End Sub
    
    Private Sub GEx_SelectionChange()
      If GFlag = False Then
        ExpandAllFolders
      End If
      GFlag = True
    End Sub
    
    Public Sub ExpandAllFolders()
      Dim xNameSpace As Outlook.NameSpace
      Dim xFlds As Outlook.Folders
      Dim xCurrFld As Outlook.MAPIFolder
      Dim xFld As Outlook.MAPIFolder
      Dim xExpandDefaultStoreOnly As Boolean
      Dim xModule As NavigationModule
      On Error Resume Next
      xExpandDefaultStoreOnly = False
      Set xNameSpace = Application.Session
      Set xModule = Application.ActiveExplorer.NavigationPane.CurrentModule
      Set xCurrFld = Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder
      If xExpandDefaultStoreOnly = True Then
        Set xFld = xNameSpace.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInbox)
        Set xFld = xFld.Parent
        Set xFlds = xFld.Folders
        LoopFolders xFlds, True
      Else
        LoopFolders xNameSpace.Folders, True
        LoopFolders xNameSpace.Folders, False
      End If
      DoEvents
      Set Application.ActiveExplorer.NavigationPane.CurrentModule = xModule
      Set Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder = xCurrFld
      Set xNameSpace = Nothing
      Set xModule = Nothing
      Set xCurrFld = Nothing
    End Sub
    
    Private Sub LoopFolders(Flds As Outlook.Folders, ByVal All As Boolean)
      Dim xFld As Outlook.MAPIFolder
      On Error Resume Next
      For Each xFld In Flds
        Select Case All
          Case True
            If xFld.DefaultItemType = olMailItem Then
              Set Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder = xFld
              DoEvents
              If xFld.Folders.Count > 0 Then
                LoopFolders xFld.Folders, All
              End If
            End If
          Case False
            Set Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder = xFld
            DoEvents
            If xFld.Folders.Count > 0 Then
              LoopFolders xFld.Folders, All
            End If
        End Select
      Next
    End Sub
  3. Save the code and close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

From now on, when restarting Outlook, all folders will be automatically expanded in Outlook.

Notes:

  • This VBA cannot open the collapsed search folders when restarting Outlook.
  • To ensure the VBA script functions correctly, it's essential to adjust your macro settings in Outlook. Please go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings, and select the Enable all macros option. This setting allows the VBA script to run without any restrictions.

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Comments (8)
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This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Just tried this on Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2310 Build 16.0.16924.20054) 64-bit and it was unsuccessful
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi there,

Please go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings. And select the Enable all macros option. After making this change, restart Outlook, the macro should then be operational.
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi guys,

does this code also work for Microsoft outlook 365?
I have tried and tried again, but I get no results.
Thanks.
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
I couldn't get this macro to work either.
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi there,
We've updated the code, please try it again. 🙂
Amanda
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
I cannot get this macro to work at all.  All folders in the Folder pane are not expanded at all.  I am using Outlook 2021.  Is there some instruction I missed?
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi there,
We've updated the code, please try it again. 🙂
Amanda
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Thank you so much.. It solved my problem. :)
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