How to Organize Your Gmail

If you're used to email accounts like Yahoo! and Outlook, where folders rule the day, Gmail definitely sends that concept spinning away on its ear. In Gmail, organizing emails requires the use of labels, filters and archiving. Here are some quick and simple ways to get your Gmail account in tip-top, manageable shape.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Google Gmail Account

1. 

   Beat yourself to the punch and create some labels. See my article "How to Create Labels in Gmail" (Resource Section) if you need assistance with this function. This is especially helpful if you've been using Gmail for a while and have a lot of emails to tidy up.

2. 

   Once you've got everything labeled, cleaning out your inbox is a cinch. All you need do is select the emails that you want to archive. Use the handy navigation bar above the message list for quick selection power, or take your sweet time and check off each email individually.

3. 

   Now that you've chosen what to move, simply click the Archive button which can be found above and below the message list.

4. 

   This is where the labeling comes in handy, because you can archive all opened emails, and keep unread emails readily available in the message list. You'll have easy access to the archived (labeled) emails by using the Label list on the left side of the screen, without having to sort through the entire archived email list. Refreshingly simple!

5. 

   If for some reason you need to retrieve your archived emails, simply click All Mail on the mail menu, and each archived email will be right back in front of you. Sexy, I know!

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've mastered the basic Gmail functions, the email world is your oyster, and you can customize what you see and where you see it.

Resources

• How to Create Labels in Gmail
• Get Your Own Gmail Account Here

[totalreviewguy]

on 2/16/2009 Amazing...who knew?!

[Jederman]

on 2/9/2009 thanks!

[Ladybugblue]

on 1/30/2009 Thanks for the informative article!