Visible email markings
Use the classification vocabulary defined by your organisation to help readers recognise the sensitivity and handling context of a message.
ClassifyIt for Windows desktop Office
Email classification for classic Outlook.
Give email a clear sensitivity and release context. ClassifyIt applies your configured visible markings and technical headers in classic Outlook, so people and appropriately configured systems can interpret the classification.
The public installer is for 64-bit Windows desktop Office. New Outlook and browser-based Office are not supported targets.
How to classify an email in Outlook
- Prepare your policy. Configure the organisation’s classification vocabulary, visible markings and release choices. Use the administration guide to plan configuration distribution.
- Choose the classification. In the ClassifyIt ribbon, select the appropriate marking and release audience for the message. Quick Select provides shortcuts for frequent choices.
- Apply and review the marking. Check that the displayed classification fits the message and intended recipients. Review attachments as part of your information handling process.
- Test your sending workflow. Administrator settings can warn or stop sending when attachments have no classification or a higher classification than the email. Email classifications must always be written correctly in accordance with the classification policy. Validate these settings with representative messages and attachments before deployment.
Technical email headers
ClassifyIt adds iCLASS classification metadata as an X-header key-value pair. Mail gateways and DLP systems need appropriate configuration to interpret this information and apply their own controls.
Shared policy configuration
Distribute a shared JSON policy through a local file, network share or web location. Quick Select offers up to ten shortcuts within the configured vocabulary.
Two practical email classification scenarios
Confidential business and banking correspondence
A team uses its own internal and confidential labels for email and related Office documents. A pilot checks whether markings are clear and the configured workflow fits everyday correspondence.
Cross-organisation information sharing
A public-sector team configures protective markings and release communities. Reviewers check the classification and release context against the applicable handling rules before sharing.
Illustrative scenarios, not customer case studies or evidence of sector-specific approval.
Questions to answer before rollout
Does ClassifyIt support new Outlook or Outlook on the web?
This COM add-in supports classic Outlook in locally installed Windows desktop Office from 2010 onwards. New Outlook and browser-based Office are not supported targets. Ask support about your exact Office build before deployment.
Does a classification marking encrypt an email?
A visible marking communicates classification; it is not encryption. Licensed CryptIt provides a separate protected document and attachment exchange workflow. The public v7.0 shareware is free for testing and simulates encryption without encrypting the content. A licence is required for operational use and real encryption in .tdf format.
Does writing metadata automatically integrate with our DLP?
Your security systems must be configured to interpret the classification fields and policy. Validate the mapping and resulting behaviour in your own environment with the administration guide and support.
How can we evaluate ClassifyIt?
Download the 64-bit Office trial and test representative messages and documents. The shareware is free for testing. Purchase a licence for operational use and real .tdf encryption. Contact support if you need a 32-bit version.
Office product overview · Evaluation options · Licence prices
Bring your policy into Office
See what fits your team.
Discuss your markings, your Office environment and a practical evaluation.