Are you trying to address multiple people at once via email? Perhaps you’re looking for a more polite email opening than “dear all.”
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will explore the best formal alternatives to “dear all,” showing you how to start an email politely.
Is It Formal to Say “Dear All”?
It is formal to say “dear all.” It also happens to be one of the most popular professional choices when addressing multiple people in the same email.
It’s a very appropriate phrase as well, making it acceptable in nearly every situation. Of course, it’s a good greeting, though some do think it works better formally (thus making it a bit too forced in informal contexts).
Check out this example to help you understand it:
Dear All,
I would like you to review this letter.
Pros
- It’s a good greeting to sound polite and friendly.
- It works well when addressing an undisclosed group of people.
Cons
- It’s very impersonal.
- It doesn’t translate well to informal emails or letters.
“Dear all” is one of the best phrases to use as a greeting in a formal letter or email. However, it’s always worth having some alternatives ready to mix things up.
Keep reading to learn how to spice up your formal emails with other ways to say “dear all.” We’ve also provided examples to help you with each.
What to Say Instead of “Dear All”
- Hello everyone
- Hi everybody
- To all
- Dear colleagues
- Hi team
- To my team
- Dear staff
- Hello
- Hi
1. Hello Everyone
You can use “hello everyone” instead of “dear all” to address multiple people in the same email.
It’s a friendly and welcoming phrase that works really well at the start of any email.
Luckily, it’s quite versatile. So, you can use it both formally and informally.
Using “everyone” encases everyone who works for you (colleagues, employees, and clients alike). It’s certainly worth using as a friendly way to say hello.
Check out the following email example if you’re still unsure:
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for all your help over the last three weeks. Please find the attached document detailing your hard work.
All the best,
Michael Anderson
2. Hi Everybody
Another great alternative to “dear all” is “hi everybody.”
We recommend using it in formal emails when addressing people you work with. It’s a great way to introduce yourself when more than one person receives an email.
Generally, “everybody” is an inclusive greeting. It allows you to refer to just about anyone without naming them specifically. So, we recommend using it when emailing employees.
This email sample will also help you understand it:
Hi Everybody,
I’m so glad that you decided to come in and work on Friday. It’s going to make things so much easier with the meeting.
Kind regards,
Jack Polio
3. To All
It’s worth using “to all” in some formal instances as well. It’s a much more direct synonym for “dear all,” where only “dear” changes to “to.”
It’s quite impersonal, so it works well when you’re the boss and don’t want to be too friendly.
Generally, since it’s not a friendly phrase, it works best when delivering bad news. It shows that you have something negative to share and would like everyone to focus on what you have to say.
Here’s a sample email to show you how it works:
To All,
I’m so sorry to be the one to email you about this. However, we are going to need to make some layoffs over the coming weeks.
Yours,
Damian Adams
4. Dear Colleagues
If you want to address colleagues specifically, there’s nothing wrong with writing “dear colleagues.”
It’s a great way to group people together if they belong to the same group.
Generally, writing “colleagues” rather than “all” is more inclusive. It shows that you value the group of people you’re writing to as more than just a generic “all.” It’s also still effective in professional emails, making it an excellent choice all around.
This example will also help you understand it:
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you so much for all the hard work you’ve put in on this project with me. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Best wishes,
Julia Lodi
5. Hi Team
There’s nothing wrong with being friendly in formal emails, either. We recommend using “hi team” as a friendly alternative to “dear all.”
It’s a great way to greet a group of people in your workplace.
For example, a “team” could be a group of colleagues working on the same project. It may also be a group of employees you have asked to complete a task together.
Whatever the case, “hi team” is a great introduction to a bulk email. You should use it to show that you’re happy to address everyone in the email.
Here’s an email sample if you’re still unsure about it:
Hi Team,
I would like you all to attend the meeting on Thursday to discuss the changes to the schedule. Please let me know if this works.
Kind regards,
Roger Adams
6. To My Team
It’s time to get even more friendly and personal. “To my team” is a great email greeting if you value everyone in your team as equal.
It shows that you really care about the people around you and want to address them appropriately.
You can use this if you are the boss. It shows that you value your employees and want them to know they’re appreciated.
Using “my” in this phrase is the key to making it sound as personal as it is. It shows that you’re happy to associate the team with your name, which is a great way to respect and compliment them.
This email example will also show you how to use it:
To My Team,
I really appreciate all the work you’ve put in lately. I wouldn’t have been able to complete this mission without your input.
All the best,
Charlie Hill
7. Dear Staff
Another great way to specify the people you address is “dear staff.” Of course, you can only use it when addressing your staff in an email, but it works well nonetheless.
Also, it’s a very formal phrase to include in an email. You might even find it works regardless of the email contents (i.e., whether delivering good or bad news to your staff).
Check out the following example to see how to use it:
Dear Staff,
I would like to formally reach out to tell you that the CEO will be in the office on Monday. Please tidy the office immediately.
Kind regards,
Ms. Paulson
8. Hello
Did you know that “hello” is a suitable replacement for “dear all”?
Notice how we don’t use “all” or “everybody” in this synonym. “Hello” is already a good way to address multiple people in an email.
You don’t need to include any names after “hello.” It’s already more than suitable, making it an excellent choice regardless of who you’re talking to.
We highly recommend using it when addressing colleagues. It’s still professional, and it allows you to address everyone quickly and get right to the main point of your email.
For example:
Hello,
Please find the document attached that you will need before starting the team project. Thank you so much for getting involved.
Kind regards,
Benjamin Coats
9. Hi
Another great alternative to “dear all” is “hi.” It works in a very similar vein to “hello.”
You do not have to include names or secondary addresses (such as “all” or “team”) with “hi.”
“Hi” is a great email greeting showing you’re talking to multiple people simultaneously. We recommend using it when you are friendly with all recipients.
Generally, it works best when emailing your coworkers. “Hi” is more informal than “hello,” so you should only use it when you have a good relationship with the people you work alongside.
You may also refer to this example if it helps you:
Hi,
I hope you’ve all had a good week. I would like to meet with you on Monday to discuss what comes next.
Thank you so much,
Harry Peterson