Outlook rule for messages for while I am the only name in the "To:" box

Similar to this question I'd like to filter my messages based on how prominently they feature me in the address list. I often get important messages that look like this:

To: <me>
Cc: <one or more people>

The fact that I'm the only person on the "To" line signals that these are important messages for me, but Outlook's built-in "Sent only to me filter" won't pick them up for me because there are other people CC-ed. Is there some way I can move messages where I'm the only To address, regardless of who's CC-ed?

FWIW I'm running Office Pro 2016.


I have done a test in my lab, I cannot create a rule to filter the messages that the To filed is only you. But I have found that I can Color-code email messages sent only to you, follow these steps to do these: enter image description here For more details: Color-code email messages sent only to you


You can ensure OP is the only recipient in the To: line by using a "Search Folder" with Advanced criteria.

  1. Right-click on "Search Folders" and choose "New Search Folder...".
  2. Scroll to the bottom and select "Create a custom Search Folder".
  3. Click "Choose..." and name the Search something like "Only Person in To:"
  4. Click "Criteria..." then the "Advanced" tab.
  5. Add To: field and your email address with condition "is (exactly)".
  6. Add Cc: field with the condition "is not empty".

Outlook Advanced Search Criteria

This should work on Outlook 2013-2021 and 365.