Outlook For Mac 2016 Exchange

Generally, Mac Outlook users face an issue regarding connectivity of the Exchange Server. It is observed in older as well as newer versions. The post explains multiple workaround solutions to fix Mac Outlook 2016 not syncing with the Exchange Server.
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Note: Outlook 2016 for Mac allows you to add an Exchange e-mail account automatically with the help of Autodiscover, which is the Exchange service that configures accounts settings automatically. In order for Outlook to reach Autodiscover, a DNS entry must be added in your domain’s public DNS. Refers to the guides below to learn more.

Outlook for Mac works with Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com (including Hotmail and MSN), Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and iCloud Learn more about Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that brings together premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneDrive, with the best tools for the way people. In Outlook for Mac 2011, thousands of colors can be assigned to local categories. In Outlook 2016 for Mac, 25 predefined colors can be assigned to MCL categories. These colors are predefined by the Exchange server MCL. If you have an IMAP or POP account that's set up in Outlook 2016 for Mac, local categories are used.

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Original KB number: 3009176

Symptoms

After you migrate to Microsoft Outlook 2016 for Mac from Outlook for Mac 2011, you notice that the category colors that are assigned to your categories are changed.

Outlook For Mac 2016 Download

Cause

Outlook for Mac 2011 uses a local list of categories. The names of these categories are synchronized to the server that's running Microsoft Exchange Server when they're assigned to items. This makes the names visible on different clients and devices. However, the colors for these categories aren't synchronized to Exchange.

Outlook 2016 for Mac uses the Master Category List (MCL) that's stored on the Exchange server to synchronize the category names and colors.

So when you migrate from Outlook for Mac 2011 to Outlook 2016 for Mac, any local category names that are assigned to items are merged with the MCL. Random colors are assigned to these categories because the colors from Outlook for Mac 2011 aren't synchronized.

Resolution

Update the colors that are assigned to categories in the MCL in Outlook 2016 for Mac. To do this, follow these steps:

On the Home ribbon, click Categorize > Edit Categories.
If you have more than one account that's added to Outlook 2016 for Mac, make sure that the correct Exchange account is selected.
For each category for which you want to change the color, click the color block, and then select the color that you want.
Make any additional changes that you want by changing the names of categories and by adding or removing categories, as appropriate.
Close the Categories window.

The changes that you make should be saved in the MCL and should be viewable from other clients and devices.

More information

In Outlook for Mac 2011, thousands of colors can be assigned to local categories. In Outlook 2016 for Mac, 25 predefined colors can be assigned to MCL categories. These colors are predefined by the Exchange server MCL.

If you have an IMAP or POP account that's set up in Outlook 2016 for Mac, local categories are used. So you can select from thousands of colors for these categories.

Topics Map > Client Configuration > Desktop

This document explains how to connect to the Office 365 service via Outlook for Mac client.

Configure Outlook

If you currently do not have Office/Outlook installed on your computer, please follow these instructions to install Office/Outlook before proceeding.

Warning: Before proceeding, make sure you have updated Outlook to the latest version (patch) currently available. If you do not update Outlook before proceeding, the potential exists that you will be unable to configure your account to Office 365 (you will receive an error during the configuration process).

Important: In addition to configuring your NetID account, this document also contains instructions on how to configure a Service Account. The recommended configuration for Service Accounts within Outlook is to have the Service Account linked to your NetID account and then to use the delegation feature to interact with the Service Account.

Microsoft Outlook for Mac uses profiles to manage your accounts within Outlook.

You have three options on configuring your Outlook profile:
Option 1: First time user of Outlook (no existing profile).
Launch Outlook to start the account creation wizard. If prompted for type of account, select Exchange or Office 365. Proceed to step 2.
Option 2: Create a new profile.
Make sure Outlook is not running.
1. Follow these steps to create a new profile.
2. Proceed to step 2.
Option 3: Add your account to an existing profile.
Launch Outlook.
1. Go to 'Tools' menu and click the Accounts selection.
2. Select New Account... from the + menu selection located at the bottom left corner of the 'Accounts' screen.
3. Proceed to step 2.
On the Setup your email window, enter the email address of the account you are attempting to configure:
- Email Address format: -
  - NetID Account: Enter the primary address of your NetID account which will take one of the following forms: netid@wisc.edu or first.lastname@wisc.edu or name@domain.wisc.edu
  - Service Account: Enter the primary address of your Service account which will take one of the following forms: name@domain.wisc.edu
  Note: if you don't know whether you are attempting to configuring a NetID account or a Service account, please contact your domain administrator or the DoIT HelpDesk.
If you receive the following prompt:
Place a check mark within the 'Always use my response for this server' check box.
Click Allow.
You will be redirected to NetID login screen - enter the credentials of the account you are attempting to configure.
Please note: If you receive an error message that your account is unable to be auto-configured, please make sure that your Outlook client is fully updated to the newest version (patch) currently available.
If this is your first time setting up this client: You may receive the following notification:
Click Activate and follow the instructions using your NetID to login when asked to activate the software.

Important:

Depending on the size and amount of emails you have in your account, Outlook may require some time to completely download all of your mail (and other data) the first time you load Outlook after configuring your account.
If you are having issues interacting with the configured account or with other accounts, please verify you have authenticated into Outlook before contacting the help desk.

Outlook 2016 Mac Exchange Connection Problem

Optional - Configure Access to the Campus Directory (Whitepages)

Remember: the Global Address List (GAL) will only contain Office 365 accounts. Therefore, you may still need access to the Campus Directory (Whitepages) to find the person you are searching for.

Use these instructions to configure the Campus Directory (Whitepages) within this client.

Uninstall Outlook/Office

Outlook 2016 Mac Add Ins

You may experience issues with Outlook for Mac that are often resolved by performing a full uninstall/reinstall of Microsoft Office. The following Microsoft documentation provides instructions on how to completely uninstall Microsoft Office on your Mac: Troubleshoot Office 2016 for Mac issues by completely uninstalling before you reinstall.

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