How to use Outlook on the web for Microsoft 365

Outlook on the web for Microsoft 365 is browser-based (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc.) access to your Microsoft 365 account. Outlook on the web works best for accessing your email when you have to use a public computer or when you are away from the office.  

Mail is stored on the Microsoft 365 server so you can access your e-mail from any computer, wherever you are located. For instance, you can access it from work, home, hotel, library, etc. With Outlook on the web, you do not have to install an e-mail app on your machine. You open your web browser and type in a web address.

Logging in 

  1. Open your web browser and go to https://office365.uiowa.edu
  2. In the HawkID field, type in your HawkID@uiowa.edu
  3. In the Password: field, type your HawkID password.
  4. Click Sign In. 
    Note: If you have Two-Step Login with Duo Security, you will be prompted to complete log in using Two-Step Login with Duo.

owa login screen

IMPORTANT NOTE:

When logging in for the first time, the time zone defaults to Monrovia, Reykjavik. Users will need to manually update the time zone to Central Time. 

  1. After logging in, click Outlook.
  2. Click the Settings icon located in the top right-hand corner of the screen and select View all Outlook settings
  3. On the menu located on the left-hand side of the screen, select General.  
  4. Select Region and Time Zone. 
  5. Change Current time zone to (UTC-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada).
  6. Click Save.

Moving Between Mail, Calendar, and People

To switch to your Calendar, click the Calendar icon 

owa calendar icon
  You can then view your calendar, add meetings, view other calendars, etc.

To switch to your Contacts, click the Contacts icon 

  You can then view your contacts, add new contacts, and edit existing contacts.

Moving Between Microsoft 365 Applications

  1. Click the App Launcher icon (located in the upper left corner) to choose the tool you want to use (Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Teams, etc.)

 

 

More detailed instructions from Microsoft -- Getting Started in Outlook Web App

NOTE:  The default timeout for inactivity in Microsoft 365 OWA is 6 hours.

 

Creating a New Message
  1. Click the New Mail (N) button and select Mail
  2. Fill in the needed fields (To:, Cc:, Subject, etc.) and type the message text.
  3. Click Send to send the message

owa new mail screen
  1. Click the Calendar icon.  Your calendar will display.

owa calendar main view

Creating a New Event

  1. Click the New Event button and select Event.  The screen below displays.
  2. Type all the needed information about the event.
  3. Click Save to save the event or send the meeting request. 

owa calendar new meeting screen

 Options

  1. From the Mail or Calendar screen, click the gear icon. 
  2. You can change your options for your Microsoft 365 account such as rules, auto replies, layout, calendar options, etc.

How to change the color theme

  1. Click on the Gear in the top right corner
  2. Under General | Appearance, in the Theme section, choose the theme you wish to use 
  3. You can also change the overall theme (Light, Dark, Use system settings)
  4. Click the Save to save your changes

How to change the message font or font size

  1. Click the Gear in the top right corner
  2. Click Mail
  3. Click Compose and reply
  4. In the 'Message format' section, click on the drop downs to make changes to your font or font size
  5. Click the Save 

How to turn off conversation view

  1. Click the Gear icon in the top right corner
  2. Click Mail
  3. Click Layout
  4. In the "Message organization" section, choose Show email as individual messages
  5. Click Save

How to change the size of the window panes

Hover your mouse over the vertical bar until you see double arrows and then click and drag it to increase/decrease the Microsoft 365 window pane size.

 

 

 

Article number: 
104670
Last updated: 
September 19, 2023
Service: 
Microsoft 365: Email & Calendaring
Category: 
Get Started