by Gmail accounts have several features that make mail management an easy proposition. Two very interesting features among them is the use of labels and filters that can really help users to effectively organize their Gmail accounts.
The uses of labels
In some ways Gmail is very different from other usual e-mail accounts. The use of labels is one of them. Unlike other e-mail accounts, the user cannot create custom folders to segregate messages. Instead they offer something that is even better.
You can create labels and use those labels to sort messages by type and content. A stand out feature of using the labels system is that a single message can be sorted under any number of labels. This is not possible with many other e-mail accounts.
This makes it possible for users to categorize their messages in a variety of ways wherein they can classify them under sections like ‘Family’, ‘Friends’, ‘Work’, ‘Need follow up’, ‘urgent’ and so on.
Method of using Gmail labels
In order to create a label in your Gmail account, move your mouse to the left side of the Gmail window. There under the Inbox icon you will see the ‘More’ option. Click on it and select ‘Create a New Label’ where the list drops down.
Now, type an appropriate name for the label you had in mind and then click ok.
You can open the label by clicking on it. In case, you cannot spot the label click ‘More’ again and now you can select the newly created label.
In order to apply the label to a particular message, make sure that you check the message in the list or you can also open it. Once you have done that, click on the label button. It’s that simple and to remove a label from a message entails quite the same process.
The uses of filters
Filters also are a very useful tool in handling your Gmail accounts. Here this tool allows you to sort your incoming mails based on your pre set specifics into their corresponding labels. This can be very ideal for users as your account becomes very convenient and easy to handle. You can sort your mails on the basis of sender, subject, attachments and other such criteria.
By doing so, you can also set several incoming mail into their labels by bypassing the inbox. They will feature on the left hand side of the window. Hence, the user would also be aware of the unread messages under those labels.
Method of using Gmail filters
In order to create filters, click on the down arrow mark on the search box and you will see the create filter drop down box appear. You can enter the particulars based on your preferences.
Following this, click on ‘Next Step’ and if you want to activate the ‘Skip the inbox’ option you can do so by checking it. Also, make sure to check ‘Apply the label’. With this, new incoming mails coming into your account will automatically get demarcated based on filters you have applied and would bypass the inbox.
