MS Outlook E-mail
The Basics
If there is one thing Outlook is known for, it's managing e-mail. Even if you understand e-mail, though, there are some aspects of Outlook on which you may need clarification.
Setting up Your Profile
If you've never started Outlook on your computer or on your username before, you may need to set up your profile first. Important: Only go through these steps if Outlook does not perform them for you.
- When you start up, Outlook will ask you for a name for your profile. Call it whatever you like, then click OK.
- You'll be confronted with a wizard made to tell Outlook which e-mail address is yours.
- Make sure that the radio button "Add a new e-mail account" is selected, then click Next.
- Next, you'll see an array of options for which type of server from which you'll recieve your e-mail.
- Here at the College of Veterinary Medicine, we use a Microsoft Exchange Server. Choose that, then click Next.
- Now you'll see a new window. In the box labeled Microsoft Exchange Server, type in cvm.vetmed.wsu.edu.
- Then, type your user name in the box labeled User Name. This is the same name you use to log in to the VETMED domain.
- Now click Check Name.
If all goes according to plan, your user name will turn into your full name, underlined. Make sure the box labeled "Use Cached Exchange Mode" is unchecked, then click next. Outlook will congratulate you on setting up an account; click finish, and you'll be ready to read your e-mail.
Reading Your E-mail
In the default view for Outlook 2003, there are three clear columns:
- the navigation pane, on the left,
- the folder view, in the center,
- and the e-mail itself, on the right.
The Navigation Pane allows you to move between your folders and other functions of Outlook. Here you can alter what you see in the folder view, in the center. Click "Inbox" to view all new and pending e-mail - this is where most of your work is probably done. You can also view your sent items or drafts you may have saved, as well as any other folders you may have made.
Click on any e-mail in the middle pane to read it in the right-hand pane. The buttons at the top for replying and forwarding the message will become available.
In the default view for Outlook XP or 2000, you will not see a navigation pane. You will, however, see the folder view in the top pane and the e-mail in the lower pane.
Writing a New E-mail
To write a new e-mail, click the New button. This will bring up a new window with 4 fields:
- To: - Write the e-mail address of the primary recipient or recipients of your e-mail here. There must be at least one address or name in the To: field. If their name is already in your address book, you may simply type in their name. People who have vetmed accounts will have their names in your address book, last name first. You can also add the name of a list, say for an entire department.
- Cc: - If you're sending the e-mail to a number of people, or have secondary recipients you don't expect to respond to your e-mail, place the names of these kinds of recipients here.
- Subject: - The title of the e-mail goes here. Your e-mail must have a subject of some kind. This is called the Subject Header.
- The body - In the largest field, at the bottom, type the contents of your e-mail.
Once you've written your e-mail, check to make sure there is at least one name in either the To or Cc field, then click Send in the upper left-hand corner.