(Updated) Outlook for Mac: Sensitivity label recommendations and auto-labeling from attachments

Updated October 6, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[What and Why:]

We're introducing support in Outlook for Mac that can automatically apply or recommend Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels based on the sensitivity labels assigned to attached files.

This enhancement helps organizations apply more consistent information protection by aligning email sensitivity labels with the classification of attached content. By reducing the need for manual labeling, organizations can help lower the risk of misclassified communications and support compliance and data protection objectives.

[Rollout Schedule:]

• General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rollout will begin in mid-November 2026 (previously late September) and is expected to complete in mid-November 2026 (previously late September).

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Who is affected:

• Users who compose email messages in Outlook for Mac.
• Organizations that use Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels.

Platforms and Services:

• Outlook for Mac
• Microsoft Purview Information Protection

What will happen:

• When users attach files that already have Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels, Outlook for Mac can automatically apply or recommend an appropriate sensitivity label for the email message.
• Email classification can better align with the sensitivity of attached content.
• Depending on your organization's label policies, users may see sensitivity label recommendations or automatic label application while composing messages.
• This capability helps reduce manual labeling effort and promotes a more consistent information protection experience across Outlook clients.

[Action Required / Recommendations:]

No admin action is required.

We recommend that organizations using Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels:

• Review existing sensitivity label publishing and protection policies.
• Validate that attachment-based label inheritance behavior aligns with organizational compliance and information protection requirements.
• Inform compliance, security, and support teams of the upcoming change so they can address user questions.

[Compliance Considerations:]