1. Map Contents
   1. 1. Group similar messages in folders
   2. 2. Create Search Folders to find messages fast
   3. 3. Sort messages quickly
   4. 4. Route mail efficiently using mailbox rules
   5. 5. Reduce unwanted e-mail with junk filters
   6. 6. Lay on the colour
   7. 7. Flag for follow up
2. 1. Group similar messages in folders
   1. By creating new mail folders you can group messages related to each other. For example, you can group messages by topic, project, contact, or other categories that make sense to you. You can even create a folder for all the messages from your manager or that include tasks that you have to complete.
   2. To group messages in folders:
      1. In the Outlook Navigation Pane, click Mail.
      2. In the Mail Folders section (called the All Mailbox section in Outlook 2003), right-click one of the folders and click New Folder.
      3. Type a name for the folder.
      4. Select where to place the folder. You can set it apart as its own folder, or list it among your other Inbox folders.
      5. Move the desired message into the new folder.
3. 2. Create Search Folders to find messages fast
   1. Quick and easy way to view predefined collections of e-mail messages
   2. Virtual Folders offering a view of messages depending on attributes defined by user.
   3. Outlook provides default Search Folders - such as unread mail - but you can al;so create your own
   4. Creating Search Folders in both Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007 is easy.
      1. In Mail, on the File menu, point to New, and then click Search Folder.
      2. Opt whether you want to use a predefined search folder or create your own
      3. Follow the instructions onscreen
4. 3. Sort messages quickly
   1. You can find messages in mailbox folders more quickly by changing how they're sorted in your e-mail folders.
   2. For example, you can arrange your e-mail by date, sender, file size, or even by conversation, which pulls up all messages by the subject line.
   3. Change message sorting in Outlook 2007
      1. At the top of your mail folder, select the Arranged by: tab. display:block
         1. Topic
      2. Click your view option.
   4. Change message sorting in Outlook 2003
      1. In the Outlook Navigation Pane, click Mail.
      2. On the View menu, point to Arrange By and then click a view option. display:block
         1. Topic
5. 4. Route mail efficiently using mailbox rules
   1. By creating rules for Outlook, you can automatically perform actions on both incoming and outgoing messages based on the criteria you establish.
   2. For instance, you can automatically forward to your manager all messages sent by a certain person as soon as they arrive, assign the category Sales to all messages you send that have the word "sales" in the Subject line, and much, much more.
   3. Routing mail efficiently not only organizes your mail for you-but also frees up your time from performing routing tasks.
   4. Learn More
      1. Outlook 2003
      2. Outlook 2007
6. 5. Reduce unwanted e-mail with junk filters
   1. Keep distracting and unwanted messages out of your inbox by using Outlook Junk E-Mail filters. These filters send e-mail flagged as junk to a separate mail folder under your Mailbox. You can review the contents of this folder to ensure no legitimate messages have been sent there, and if so, you can adjust the filter to avoid flagging such messages in the future.
   2. Learn More
      1. Outlook 2003
      2. Outlook 2007
7. 6. Lay on the colour
   1. One quick easy way to distinguish between e-mail messages is to colour code them.
   2. By using colour, you can quickly identify messages from certain contacts by customizing your Inbox to automatically colour messages.
   3. For example, it's an easy way to identify important messages from a key customer, your manager, or an important contact. Even better, it's quick and easy.
   4. Colour-code messages in Outlook 2007
      1. On the toolbar, click Categorize.
      2. Click All Categories.
      3. In the Name list, select the check box for the category whose colour you want to change.
      4. Click the arrow next to Colour, and then click the colour that you want.
   5. Colour-code messages using Outlook 2003
      1. In Outlook Navigation Pane, click the Mail category.
      2. Select an e-mail message from a contact.
      3. On the Tools menu, click Organize.
      4. Under Ways to Organize Inbox, click Using Colours.
      5. Select the colour you wish and click Apply.
8. 7. Flag for follow up
   1. You can flag e-mail messages, tasks, and more with coloured Quick Flags to help classify them or mark them for action.
   2. Flags can remind you to follow up on an issue, indicate a request for someone else, or set a reminder for a message or contact. Best yet, they make organizing your mail folders a breeze, because you know exactly what to do-and when to do it.
   3. Flag messages in Outlook 2007
      1. In Outlook 2007, flagging performs the same functions as in previous versions—only it's done a little differently. Previously, you could choose from different flag colours, but now they are not associated with colours by design. That way, you can determine the colours that make sense to you.
      2. Learn More
   4. Flag messages in Outlook 2003
      1. You can use the six coloured message flags to identify items for different kinds of follow-up. For example, use the red flag to mark messages that require immediate attention and the blue flag for messages to read later. You can even create a customized Quick Flag toolbar in Outlook that matches your needs.
      2. Learn More
         1. Flagging for Follow Up
         2. Naming Coloured Flags