Step 1: View the Outlook Window

The Outlook window contains many of the same program elements used in other Office programs. This figure points out the various onscreen elements. Some of them are unique to Outlook; others are common throughout the Office suite. 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Use the Program Window Controls

Use the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons at the far right end of the title bar to manipulate the Outlook window. For example, to make the Outlook program window fill the screen space, click the Maximize button. 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Use the Menu Bar

To display an Outlook menu, click the menu name. The menu drops down to reveal a list of commands. Select the command you want to use. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Use the Toolbar

Outlook's toolbar buttons change to reflect the component or task on which you're working. To activate a toolbar button, just click on it. To learn more about what a button does, hover your mouse pointer over the button to reveal a ScreenTip. 

 

 

Step 5: Use Group Buttons

The Outlook Bar has three group buttons for organizing your folders and shortcuts: Outlook Shortcuts (which holds all of the Outlook components), My Shortcuts (which holds various mail folders for sent messages, drafts, and more), and Other Shortcuts (so you can access My Computer and the My Documents and Favourites folders). To display a new folder group, click the appropriate group button. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6: Change Folders

Each Outlook component has its own folder, represented by an icon on the Outlook Bar in the Outlook Shortcuts group. To open another Outlook component, click the appropriate icon in the Outlook Bar. To open the Contacts feature, for example, click the Contacts icon. Use the Scroll button to view more icons on the Outlook Bar. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Display the Folder List

Another way to view Outlook's components is with the Folder List. Open the View menu and select Folder List, or click the Folder drop-down arrow in the work area. The Folder List displays each Outlook folder, including any you add to organize Outlook items you create. (Click the Pushpin icon to keep the Folder List open onscreen.) 

 

 

 

 

Step 8: Change Views

Some of the Outlook components enable you to change your view of the information presented. With the Calendar, for example, you can see your schedule by Day, Work Week, Week, and Month. To change a view, use the View menu or click the appropriate view button on the toolbar. 

 

 

 

 

Step 9: Use Outlook Today View

Click the Outlook Today icon on the Outlook Bar to see your day's schedule and projects at a glance. The items displayed are actually hyperlinks to other Outlook items. Click an appointment, for example, to open the Appointment window that has details about the appointment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 10: Find Outlook Contacts

Use the Find a Contact tool on the toolbar to quickly look up a name in your Contacts database. Click inside the text box and type in the person's name, first or last. Press Enter, and Outlook displays the Contact form with details about the person.