Outlook Search Folders

Last month I wrote about rules and previously I wrote about Quick Steps. Rules operate with conditions and actions, and Quick Steps apply an action to a selected e-mail message. This month we delve into Search folders, which are closely related to rules and Quick Steps but differ slightly in their purpose and use. Search folders save you from having to look through each e-mail folder for e-mails that match a specific condition.

Creating and Using Rules

Most of us don't want more rules in our lives, but in Outlook rules are used manage the flow of e-mails that hit your Inbox. For example, a rule can be set to look for a specific word or words in the subject line and then move those e-mails to a different folder. This is a common, basic rule, but you can create many different types of rules to manage your e-mails.

Creating and Using Signatures

Using signatures in e-mail messages is commonplace and some companies require employees to do so. When most of us think of signatures in relationship to e-mail, we think of the sender's name, company, address, and contact information at the bottom of the message. But, signatures are not limited to this use and can be a valuable, time-saving tool. Signatures might be one of the most underused productivity tools in Outlook.

E-mail and Your Job

Normally, I only make one blog post a month. But, I just read an excellent article about how misuse of e-mail can affect your job or interview chances, and I thought I'd share it with you.

2011 Outlook Review

As 2011 ends and 2012 begins, it's time to look back and review some of the Outlook topics covered in the past year. Over the past year, I have written about new Outlook 2010 features and many other Outlook topics to help you use this software more productively. Enjoy the 2011 recap!

Outlook Follow Up Flags

Over the next few months, I will be doing a series of blog posts on Outlook e-mail tools to help you become more efficient, organized, and productive when using Outlook. This month I'll focus on Follow Up Flags. These follow up flags are very useful tools to help keep your Inbox organized. Flags can also be used with other Outlook items; they are not just limited to use with e-mail.