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Outlook: how Fyxer organizes your inbox (folders vs categories explained)

Folders move emails. Categories tag them. Here's how Fyxer uses each.

Fyxer works seamlessly with Outlook, but it behaves differently compared with Gmail because Outlook uses two parallel systems: folders and categories. Here's how Fyxer fits into both, so you always know where emails go and why.

You might notice differences between what's shown here and what you see in your inbox. We regularly test and refine how Fyxer works, so experiences can vary. Either way, you've got the right set up, and we'll keep this updated as things evolve.


Folders versus categories in Outlook

Folders:

  • Emails can only be in one folder at a time

  • Keep your inbox clean

  • Fyxer creates one folder per email category

Categories (color tags):

  • Applied as labels, but don't move the email

  • An email can have multiple category tags

  • Outlook category colors may vary by version


How Fyxer organizes emails in Outlook

Fyxer categorizes emails automatically, ranked by priority, with "To do" or "To respond" being your most important. This is followed by FYI, and then lower priority categories like Notification and Marketing.

What happens next depends on your Categorization settings.

Go to your Dashboard → Categorization. You'll see two columns:

  • Move these out of my inbox

  • Keep these in my inbox

Each category has a toggle:

  • Toggled ON: email moves to the matching folder. This keeps your inbox quiet and focused

  • Toggled OFF: Fyxer applies the color-coded category tag, but the email stays in your inbox. Perfect if you want to see more messages upfront

Select Update preferences if you make any changes. Changes will apply to new emails going forward.

To keep your inbox focused on what matters most, keep To do/To respond and FYI in your inbox, and move the rest out.


Why conversation view must be turned on

Outlook sometimes splits email threads across folders if conversation view is off.

Turning it on makes sure:

  • All emails from the same thread stay grouped

  • Fyxer's categories look consistent

  • Drafts appear in the correct place

Learn more: Turn on conversation view.


Tip for Outlook users

If Respect my categories is toggled on, Fyxer won't sort any emails already categorized. Likewise, if Outlook rules move emails before Fyxer sees them, Fyxer will skip them. This protects your existing workflows, and gives you full control.


Still have questions?

Head to the chat in the bottom right of your Dashboard.