Fix Outlook Search No Items Found to Trouble Shoot the Search Option

Outlook Search no items found- A Brief Introduction

When a user uses an Instant Search option in Microsoft Office Outlook 2013, Microsoft Outlook 2010, or Microsoft Outlook 2007, he/she receives the following message which is mentioned below:

• Outlook Search no matches found
Few results are returned in some of the cases. If one checks the Indexing Status dialog box in MS Outlook, he/she gets through the following message:

• Search Results are incomplete as items are still being indexed or outlook search no items found
It occurs if one includes the search criteria for some items that match. Additionally, WDS (Windows Desktop Search) is even configured to index MS Offline Outlook Data (.ost) file or Outlook Data (.pst) file.

Approach to Trouble Shoot the Outlook search no items found option

Follow the methods mentioned below to perform troubleshooting of Outlook Instant Search:

Step 1: Check Indexing is complete

Follow the steps mentioned below to figure out whether indexing process is complete or not:

For Outlook 2007 no matches found

1. In MS Outlook, choose Tools, Instant Search>> Instant Search
2. Once Outlook dialog is appeared, one gets the following information:

• MS Outlook has finished the indexing of all the items
• All the new items are indexed at the time of arrival
• 0 items have remained in the Mailbox -
• 0 items left in all the open mailboxes

For Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013 no matches found

1. In Microsoft Outlook, choose the search box
2. Choose Search>> Search Tools>> Indexing Status
3. Once Indexing Status dialog appears, one gets through the following:

• MS Outlook finished the indexing of all the items
• 0 items remaining for the process of indexing

Step 2: Correctly configure the indexing option

When MS Outlook is installed, MSG file is associated with MS Outlook MSG IFilter. The filter enables WDS index items stored in Outlook Data (.pst) and Offline Outlook Data (.ost). MS Outlook makes use of OST files when profile connected to the Exchange account has Cached Exchange Mode enabled.

In case one has already configured MS Outlook for using an Exchange Account enabled with Cache Exchange Mode or one is non Exchange email account user that uses the .pst file. He/she should follow the steps mentioned below to resolve the indexing issue.

1. Exit MS Outlook
2. Open Indexing Option

• For Windows 8
Type indexing option on the start screen, choose settings >> Indexing Option
• For Windows 7 and Vista
Choose Start>> Indexing option>> Enter


• For Windows XP
Choose Start>> Settings>> Control Panel and>> double click on Indexing option

3. Click on Indexing Option>> choose Advanced
4. Choose file types tab
5. Scroll till you get msg in extension column
6. Select msg and enable the index properties and file contents
7. Select Ok and then Close

Step 3: Outlook data in indexing included

The section details that whether Outlook data is indexed or not. If not so, try using Windows search to search for the files. It is not applicable to MS Outlook edition 2013. Follow the steps mentioned below to verify that the data of Outlook is indexed.

1. Exit MS Outlook and open the Indexing option

• For Win 8
Start Screen>> Indexing Option>> Settings>> Indexing Option

• For Win 7 or Vista

Start>> Indexing Option>> Enter

2. Make sure MS Outlook is listed in the column of included location under indexing option
3. Select Modify if Outlook is not listed and enable it
4. Select Ok and then Close

For Outlook 2007 search no results

1. Start MS Outlook
2. Choose Tools>>Instant Search>> Search Options
3. Choose to remove or add the data files

For Outlook 2010 and 2013 search no results

1. Start MS Outlook and select the search box
2. Choose Search tab>> Search tools>> locations to search
3. Opt to add or remove the data files

Step 4: Remake the catalog of search

If one is stuck in indexing and works like as if it is incomplete, remake the search catalog.

1.  Exit MS Outlook and open the option of indexing.

• For Win 8

Start Screen>> Indexing>> Settings>> Indexing Option

• For Win 7 or Vista
Start>> Indexing option>> Enter

• For Win XP
Start>> Settings>> Control Panel>> Indexing Option

2. Select modify in the indexing option and click on Ok

3. Select Advanced in Indexing Option dialog box

4. Select Rebuild in the Advanced option dialog box

5. Select Ok and then choose close

Step 5: Check the scope of search

To check the scope of searching in Outlook, one should follow the following steps:

For Outlook 2007- no matches found

1. Select drop-down arrow in Outlook
2. Select Add or remove data files option

For Outlook 2010- no items found

1. In MS Outlook, hit on the Search box
2. Click search tab
3. Current scope is shown by Scope group.

• All mail items
• Current Folder
• All subfolders
• All MS Outlook item

For Outlook 2013- no matches found

1. Click search box and select search tab
2. Current scope is presented by the Scope group

• All mail items
• Current Folder
• All subfolders
• All MS Outlook item

Conclusion

From the above write-up every user is clear with the concept Outlook search no matches found. The write-up even describes the steps, how to fix the problem with Outlook search and deal with outlook search no items found scenario. Moreover, the user will get an easy approach if he/she follows the steps carefully.