View It Your Way
Have you ever found yourself wishing you had different information displayed in MS Outlook for your e-mail?
Yeah, me too.
There are just certain things I’m interested in seeing and some stuff I don’t care about at all.
If only it could all be done my way.
Oh, but wait.
It can be my way!
With a few quick clicks, I can set Outlook to give me what I want, where I want it.
The set up of the e-mail information (called fields) deals with what to include, what not to include and what order to place it all in. This is all a part of a View in MS Outlook.
To quote the MS Office Assistant, “Views give you different ways to look at the same information in a folder by putting it in different arrangements and formats.”
Basically, what you want, where you want it.
Interested in finding out how to take control of your view in MS Outlook?
Yes?
Good. Then let’s get right to it!
There are a couple of different ways to make changes to your MS Outlook view. Your method depends on how you like to see things while you work.
If you prefer to see lists of what’s available, what’s been selected and its placement, you’ll probably like the following method the best.
The first thing is to open the window which will allow you to choose and place the fields of information you want to display.
If you’re using Outlook 97, go to the View menu, Show Fields choice.
If you’re using a newer version, try the View menu, Current View submenu, Customize Current View choice.
Then click the Fields button in the View Summary window that opens.
However you got there, you should be looking at the “Show Fields” window.
On the left, you’ll find a list of available fields not currently displayed. The right will show you the list of fields that are currently being used in their display order.
To add a field, simply select it on the left and then click the Add button in the center.
Removing a field is just as easy. Select it in the right side list and click Remove in the center.
To change the order of the displayed fields, select one in the right list and use the Move Up and Move Down buttons below the list to change their order.
When you’ve gotten everything just the way you like it, simply click OK. (And OK again if you’re using one of the newer versions of Outlook).
Now, if you’re a person who’s a little more into the “drop and drag” of items, then this second method of field rearrangement will probably be more to your liking.
To begin, you need to right click on any field name (the names just above the actual e-mail information) in Outlook.
Then pick Field Chooser from the pop up menu.
The Field Chooser window will open.
In the window, you’ll be able to find all fields that are not currently displayed.
At the very top, you’ll find a drop down list of all field categories. Among them is the choice to show all fields, but if you know what type of information you’re looking for, the other categories can produce much smaller lists to sort through.
Once you’ve located a field you want to add to your view, simply click, hold and drag it to the field names in the mailbox window.
A small arrow will appear letting you know where the new field will be located if you release the mouse button at that time.
Find your preferred location and release the mouse button.
If you’d like to rearrange fields that are already displayed, just click, hold and drag the field to the new location.
To remove a field, click, hold and drag it down below the field names, then release the mouse button.
It will be removed from your display and you will immediately find it listed in the Field Chooser.
When you’ve completed all your changes, close the Field Chooser window.
Poof!
The information you’re seeing in Outlook is probably a lot more to your liking.
Definitely all your way!
~ April
