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How to Share a Contact Group in Outlook

How to Share a Contact Group or Distribution List in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular webmail services, with an extensive list of additional features. This article will show you how to share your contact groups/lists in Outlook.

Share Outlook Contact Group

Previously known as a Distribution List, the Contacts list or Group is used to simultaneously send emails to multiple people. If you share a contact group with others, they can also send emails to the same list of contacts. By sharing a contact group with others within an organization, you can optimize collaboration.

Video Tutorial on How to Share a Contacts List in Outlook

Table of Contents:

Method 1. Drag and Drop the Contact Group

Click New Email in the Home menu

1. Open Outlook. Click New Email in the Home menu.

Drag and drop the contact list into the email message body section

2. Select the People tab, select the contact group you want to share, and drag and drop it into the email message body section.

Click Send after dragging and dropping the contact list

3. Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send.

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Method 2. Use the Forwarding Function

Click the People icon at the bottom-left of the window

1. Open Outlook. Select the People panel at the bottom of the window.

Right-click the contact group, select Forward Contact, and click As an Outlook Contact

2. Right-click the contact group you want to share, select Forward Contact, and click As an Outlook Contact.

Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send

3. Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send.

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Method 3. Share Contact Group from the Contact Group’s Settings

Select the People panel at the bottom-left of the window

1. Open Outlook. Select the People panel at the bottom of the window.

Double-click the contact group you want to share

2. Double-click the contact group you want to share.

Click Forward Group and click In Internet Format (vCard) or As an Outlook Contact

3. Click Forward Group and click In Internet Format (vCard) or As an Outlook Contact.

Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send

4. Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send.

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Method 4. Insert the Contact Group into an Email

Click New Email in the Home menu

1. Open Outlook. Click New Email in the Home menu.

Select the Insert menu

2. Select the Insert menu and expand the Ribbon menu.

Click Outlook Item

3. Click Outlook Item.

Select Contacts in the top panel and select the contact group you want to share from the bottom panel

4. Select Contacts in the top panel.

5. Then, select the contact group you want to share in the bottom panel.

6. Click OK.

Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send

7. Enter the recipient’s email address, include a subject, add a message if required, and click Send.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Rimvydas Iliavicius

Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius.

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