3 Tricks Every Microsoft Outlook User Should Know

We usually tend to take Microsoft Outlook for granted. In fact, we've been using this program to read email messages and manage our schedules for many years now. Nonetheless, Microsoft Outlook is a remarkably powerful program. If you want to make the most out of it, it's time to explore some of its hidden features. Here are three key tips that can help you save time and work more proficiently when connected to Microsoft Outlook.

Eliminate the Clutter

Outlook's “Conversation View,” which lists messages and replies under one heading, can lessen the time it takes you to find a key email, but sometimes these conversations can become messy with repetitive quoted content. You can resolve this problem quickly by right-clicking the conversation, and then clicking on the "Clean Up Conversation" selection. This will eliminate all the recurring quoted parts of the messages in a conversation.

Say it in a Picture

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how much time you’ll save by including screenshots in your emails.  Including screenshots can be very beneficial particularly when sending a support ticket.  Outlook makes including a screenshot extremely simple. Click the “Insert” tab and then select “Screenshot.” A series of images of all open windows on your desktop will be displayed.  Pick the window that is appropriate and Outlook will place the screenshot directly into your email – simple as that!

Take Out the Trash

It's not uncommon to leave our email trash folders crammed with old and undesired messages. Unfortunately, this trash takes up space. To remedy this, Outlook allows you to quickly empty this trash without thinking about it every time you quit the program. Telling Outlook to do this is simple. Click Outlook's “File” menu. Click the “Options” tab and then click “Advanced.” Once here, identify the Outlook “Start” and “Exit” options. Add a check next to the “Empty Deleted Items” folder when exiting Outlook option. In this way, your trashed email messages will vanish every time you leave Outlook.