Customize your Gmail settings (look more like Outlook)

Customize your Gmail settings (look more like Outlook)

About: Gmail is a very flexible email tool that you can configure to your liking. If you are more familiar with Outlook you can configure some of the options below to make Gmail behave and look a little more like Outlook. For more information see this help article from Google about switching from Outlook to Gmail.


Turn on the Reading Pane

By default the reading pane is off and in order to view an email, you have to click on it to open it. If you'd like you can turn on the reading pane which will preview the email you click on either on the right side or bottom of Gmail follow the steps below:
  1. Click the Settings button at the top right corner.
  2. Select one of the Reader pane options shown in the Quick settings pane.


While you are looking at the Quick Settings you can check out some of the other options like Density, Themes and Inbox type to get Gmail just how you like. You can always turn settings on and off so don't be afraid to find what works for you.

Turn off Conversation view

By default Gmail will bundle together replies of a thread. If you prefer to have each reply show as its own item in your inbox you can uncheck this box all the way at the bottom of Quick Settings.



Use Labels instead of Folders

Gmail uses Labels instead of Folders but they are similar with a few differences. In Gmail you can apply multiple labels to an email instead of only one folder like in Outlook. You can apply a label to an email a few different ways:

  1. Drag and drop an email in to a label.
  2. When viewing an email click the label button along the top and select the label.
  3. Create a rule which automatically applies a label. We have instructions on how to do this here

Access labels on the left.

Google Chat & Meet are built right in

Along the left side of Gmail you can access all of your Google Chats and quickly see and join upcoming Google Meet video calls.



If you prefer to view Google Chat in a separate web browser tab by going to chat.google.com you can turn off Chat in the Quick Settings.



Google Calendar, Keep and Tasks are built right in

Along the right side of Gmail you will see the sidebar which lets you quickly take a look at your Calendar, notes you take in Google Keep and your Google Tasks.








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