Flagging Messages In MS Outlook

Flagging Messages In MS Outlook

So, we've all decided that flagging email messages is a good idea to keep organized and on time, and since we're all here for the same reason, let's get started.

The first step is to locate an email message that needs to be flagged for future attention.

If you're using MS Outlook 97 then here's the scoop for you:

To mark the email with a flag without setting a due date and time simply highlight the message in the mailbox and right click.

From the menu that pops up select Flag Message.

You'll be returned to the mailbox and you should now see a red flag in the flag column

If you right click on the message again you'll see a couple of new options in the pop up menu.

These are used to clear the flag out completely or to turn it white. (The program calls that a "flag complete" - but in truth you could give a white flag any meaning you like.)

That's it for putting flags in—but what if you're also looking to add a reminder?

Well that one goes a little differently.

First, open the email. (Double clicking on it works well.)

Now you're looking for the Message Flag button on the toolbar.

Click it.

The Flag Message window will open.

In the "Flag:" field you can either pick prepared text from the list or type in your own reminder message.

Below that, in the "By:" field you can select a reminder day from the calendar and then alter the time that Outlook automatically inserted.

The time is when the reminder will pop up. Be careful—don't set it so late that if you've got work to do you won't get done. Give yourself some time.

Click OK when everything's to your liking.

Now, assuming that Outlook is still running, you'll get a reminder at the preset time so you won't just forget about the message.

Moving on to our readers who are using newer versions of MS Outlook.

Things start out the same for you.

Highlight the message in the mailbox and then right click.

You will pick Flag For Follow Up from the pop up menu.

Immediately the Flag For Follow Up window will open.

In the "Flag to:" field you can either pick prepared text from the list or type in your own reminder message.

And, as before, below that, in the "Due by:" field you can select a reminder day from the calendar and then alter the time that Outlook automatically inserted.

Don't forget that the time is when the reminder will pop up -give yourself some time to work on the task.

Click OK when you're done.

Voila!

You're now on your way to forgetting less and no more "Oops—I forgot to do that!" days.

~ April