How to Use Outlook Inclusive Language Setting

RWU and RWU IT are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Outlook offers support for Bias Free communication with their Grammar Settings to check language for Gender Neutral Language and other forms of Bias. This guide will help you turn on the Inclusive Language Settings.

Office 2016:

1. Open the Outlook Desktop Application.

Outlook logo

2. Create a New Email.

Home Toolbar in Outlook. New Email Button has highlighted box in the top left corner.

3. Type in the email body. Your text must include a typo.

Email with typo in the body text. Body text reads "asdfghjkl".

4. Use the "Review Tab" to Select Spelling & Grammar Check.

Email with Review Tab Highlighted on the top. Spelling & Grammar button highlighted. in Top Left banner.

5. Select the Options button on the Spelling & Grammar Check pop up.

Note: Ensure that Check Grammar box is selected.

Screenshot of Spelling and Grammar Check pop up. The "Options" button at the bottom left hand side is highlighted with a yellow box.

6. Select Grammar Settings.

Screenshot of Option menu within the Spelling and Grammar pop up. The "Grammar Settings" button is highlighted with a yellow box.

7. Scroll to Inclusiveness Heading and Select the box for Gender Bias. Complete by Selecting Okay.

Screenshot of Grammar settings. Under Inclusiveness, "Gender Specific Language is checked off and highlighted with a yellow box. The OK button at the bottom right hand side is highlighted with a yellow box.

Office 2023:

1. Open the Outlook Desktop Application.

Outlook logo

2. Create a New Email.

Screenshot of Microsoft Outlook Application. The "New Mail" button on the left hand side of the screen is highlighted with a red box

3. Click on the Options tab. Select the Editor option. Once the pop up menu appears, select Editor Settings.

Screenshot of a New Mail pop up. The "Options" tab, Editor icon to the left, and Editor settings are highlighted with red boxes and the corresponding number to the step.

4. Scroll down until you come across the option for Inclusiveness. If you click on the drop down arrow beside the word Inclusiveness, you will be able to select what type of inclusiveness you would like Outlook to acknowledge (age, culture, gender, etc.)

Screenshot of Microsoft editor settings. The Inclusiveness toggle and OK button are highlighted with red boxes.