Outlook has a hidden feature called the "Query Builder" that's fantastic. It requires a registry change to enable, but it's totally worth it.

Query Builder can only be used for 1) instant searches, 2) search folders, and 3) view formatting. Unfortunately it can't be used for filtering rules.

overview

• overview
• overview
• overview

how to enable it

• the registry change that's required
• official Microsoft docs
• it requires Windows Desktop Search (WDS) to work, but fortunately WDS is installed by default on Windows Vista and later.

Advanced Query Syntax

• Advanced Query Syntax exists outside of Outlook, and can be used for other applications too
  [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
• Outlook-specific instructions — [1] [2] [3]