How to create custom views of your inbox in Outlook 2003 or 2007

One way to reduce the overflowing inbox in Outlook (2003 or 2007) is to create a custom View of your inbox to change the appearance of certain messages. This article will show you how to change the appearance of inbox messages where you are listed on the TO line, as opposed to CC (or BCC). This will visually draw your attention to messages that are addressed directly to you, and more likely in need of action or a reply, as opposed to messages where you are copied, and it may just be FYI or worse - totally irrelevant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft(r) Office Outlook(r) 2003 or 2007

1. Open Outlook and then open your Inbox folder.
2. Click View on the Menu Bar, expand Current View, then click Customize Current View...
3. In the Customize View: Message dialog box, click Automatic Formatting.
4. In the Automatic Formatting dialog box, click Add. Type "To Me" in the Name text box. Click Font... and then select Purple from the Color: drop down list. Click OK.
5. Click Condition:. In the Filter dialog box, click to select Where I am:, and then select "on the To line with other people". Click OK. Click OK at the Automatic Formatting dialog box, then click OK a the Customize View: Message dialog box. Your inbox view will update automatically.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also configure this view to change the appearance of messages where you are the only person on the To line. If you choose this option, you will want to put it on top of any view that you have set up to change the appearance where you are on the To line with other people. (Use the Move Up button in the Customize View: Messages dialog box).