Why Is Outlook Not Showing Who Emails Are From?

If you've opened an email in Outlook and noticed that the sender’s name is missing or incorrect, you're not alone. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Why is Outlook not showing who emails are from? While it may seem like a glitch, this issue is usually the result of one of a few common causes. Let’s explore what’s happening and how to fix it.

1. Display Name Might Be Missing or Corrupted

When someone sends you an email, their display name (what you see in the “From” field) is set by their email provider. If their account isn’t configured properly or if Outlook fails to fetch that metadata - only the email address might appear, or the field might look blank altogether.

Fix: Right-click on the email and choose “View Message Details” to confirm if the email address is correct, even if the name isn’t displayed.

2. Outlook’s AutoComplete Cache Could Be the Culprit

Outlook stores frequently used addresses in a local cache to help you compose messages faster. If this cache becomes corrupted or outdated, it may cause sender info to display incorrectly.

Fix:

1. Close Outlook.

2. Locate and delete the.datAutoComplete file or clear the cache via File > Options > Mail > Empty Auto-Complete List .

3. Restart Outlook.

3. Email Was Sent via a Proxy or Alias

Sometimes, the email was sent via a relay service or alias , which can strip or obscure the “From” field. This is common with:

1. Email marketing tools

2. Shared inboxes

3. CRM platforms

Outlook may struggle to resolve the actual sender name when intermediaries are involved.

4. Your View Settings May Be Hiding Important Columns

If you’re using Outlook’s Compact View or have customized your columns, it’s possible the “From” column is hidden or collapsed.

Fix:

1. Go to View > View Settings .

2. Click Columns , and ensure “From” is added to the visible columns list.

3. Apply changes.

5. A Smarter Way to Communicate: Use Forms Instead

If you're struggling with email display issues when gathering information, there's a better way. Try using Formswrite.com to create interactive forms, quizzes, or feedback sheets from your Google Docs. You can then send the form link via Outlook. No formatting or display issues to worry about.

It’s clean, clear, and removes ambiguity from your communication.

Final Thoughts

Outlook not showing who emails are from is typically a result of local settings, cache corruption, or formatting inconsistencies from the sender. Most of these can be fixed quickly. And if you’re looking for more structured communication (like sending forms or quizzes) Formswrite is a simple, reliable alternative.

FAQ

Q: Why is the “From” name missing in some Outlook emails? A: It’s usually due to missing sender information, a corrupted cache, or relay services.

Q: Can I fix Outlook’s AutoComplete issues? A: Yes! clear the AutoComplete cache in Outlook settings.

Q: Is this problem related to spam? A: Not always. Even legitimate emails can have missing sender names due to configuration issues.

Q: Can I avoid this issue with tools like Formswrite? A: Yes. With Formswrite.com , you can send structured forms via link, bypassing the need for complex formatting or sender data.