Is there a way to add a note to a message that I received?
There are several ways you can do this in Outlook.
When you flag an item, you are free to choose the text for the flag. By default the text is set to “Follow up” and there is a list to choose some from as well, but you can type any text you want.
In order to type the text, right click on the Flag column in Outlook or press CTRL+SHIFT+G and choose “Custom…”.
You can set the Start date and Due date to None.
Modify the subject
If your notes are only short, then you can double click the message to open it in its own window, and directly type your note in the Subject field.
Type in the message body
If your notes are a bit longer, then you can also type it directly into the message body. In order to do this, you must double click the message to open it in its own window. Then choose;
- Outlook 2003 and previous
Edit-> Edit Message
- Outlook 2007
Other Actions-> Edit Message
- Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013
Actions-> Edit Message
Once in edit mode, you can freely type in the message. When closing the item, make sure you save the changes to save your note.
Make sure you open the message via a double click first.
Attach a Note
If you want to add a proper note, then you’ll have to write it in the Notes section of Outlook first. After this open the message and place it in edit mode as indicated above. Now you can drag and drop your note into the message and it will show as an attachment. You can delete the note from the Notes folder now as it will be saved with the message.
When you also have Microsoft OneNote installed on your computer, then you’ll also have a OneNote button on your toolbar or Ribbon. Pressing this button will allow you to create a “Linked Note” where the message remains stored in Outlook and the note for the message is stored in OneNote.
Both items hold links to each other so it is easy to find back the associated message or note from either Outlook or OneNote.
Use an add-in
Standss EmailNotes is a no-nonsense note taking add-in for Outlook. Notes can be directly taken is a separate Notes Pane. Note text can be formatted, links can be added and the notes can be printed and included in replies and forwards.
Notes4Outlook is a specialized add-in that focuses on notes only with having features as using the text of your note in a reply/forward, customize their look, adding files to notes and print notes.
Bells & Whistles for Outlook is a more generic add-in which offers besides adding notes to a message also features such as creating message templates, automatic mail account selection, forgotten subject/attachments reminder, simple mail merge and much more.