How to customise the outlook mail navigation pane

The Outlook navigation pane! It's a crucial part of the Outlook experience, and customizing it can help you work more efficiently. Here are some ways to customize the Outlook mail navigation pane:

1. Add or remove folders:

• Right-click on the "Mail Folders" section in the navigation pane and select "Add Folder" to create a new folder.
• To remove a folder, right-click on it and select "Delete Folder".
• You can also drag and drop folders to reorder them.

2. Pin frequently used folders:

• Right-click on a folder and select "Pin" to keep it at the top of the navigation pane.
• This way, you can quickly access your most frequently used folders.

3. Customize the folder view:

• Click on the "View" tab in the ribbon and select "Folder View Options" to customize the appearance of the folder list.
• You can choose to display folder names, sizes, and dates, as well as adjust the font size and color.

4. Add a search folder:

• Right-click on the "Search Folders" section in the navigation pane and select "New Search Folder" to create a custom search folder.
• You can search for emails based on various criteria, such as sender, recipient, subject, and more.

5. Create a custom group:

• Right-click on the "Mail Folders" section in the navigation pane and select "New Group" to create a custom group.
• You can add folders, search folders, and even other groups to this custom group.

6. Use the "Quick Steps" feature:

• Quick Steps are a set of pre-defined actions that can be applied to emails. You can create custom Quick Steps to perform common tasks, such as moving emails to a specific folder or applying a specific formatting.
• To access Quick Steps, click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon and select "Quick Steps".

7. Use the "Rules" feature:

• Rules allow you to automate tasks based on specific conditions, such as moving emails to a specific folder or applying a specific formatting.
• To access Rules, click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon and select "Rules".

8. Customize the navigation pane layout:

• You can resize the navigation pane by dragging the border between the navigation pane and the main Outlook window.
• You can also move the navigation pane to a different location on the screen by dragging it.

9. Use add-ins:

• There are many add-ins available that can customize the Outlook navigation pane, such as adding custom buttons or modifying the folder structure.
• You can search for add-ins in the Microsoft Store or download them from third-party websites.

10. Use the "Outlook Options" dialog box:

• To access the "Outlook Options" dialog box, click on the "File" tab and select "Options".
• In the "Outlook Options" dialog box, you can customize various settings, including the navigation pane.

By following these steps, you can customize the Outlook mail navigation pane to suit your needs and work more efficiently.