Manage your email like a pro with outlook

2 min read

APPLE SKILLS macOS

Outlook is now free for all Mac users. Here’s how to get the most from it

IT WILL TAKE 30 minutes

YOU WILL LEARN How to use Outlook for Mac to manage your email

YOU’LL NEED Outlook for Mac, macOS 11 or later

Microsoft’s Outlook has had something of a chequered history on the Mac. At various times it’s been a useful option for business users who rely on Microsoft’s Office suite, a reasonable alternative to Apple’s Mail, and an application that felt like the very poor relation of its Windows version and was best avoided. Since its overhaul a few years ago, however, it’s been a serious contender for the best email application for both business and personal use. And that position was bolstered earlier this year when Microsoft announced Outlook for Mac could be downloaded and used completely free of charge and would no longer need an Office 365 subscription.

There’s a great deal to like about Outlook, not least that it looks and feels like a Mac app and adopts many macOS features like Handoff, Widgets, and integration with Notification Centre. Then there’s the option to create profiles for, say, business and personal email accounts, the automatic filtering of incoming messages into Focused and Other inboxes, and the ability to save searches as smart folders. Let’s get started.

EXPLAINED… Outlook’s interface

1 Filters

Incoming mail is filtered into Focused and Other inboxes, allowing you to quickly see the most important new messages.

2 My Day

The sidebar can display upcoming appointments, an agenda for the day, or Outlook’s newest features.

3 Saved searches

You can save searches you make often as a smart folder, allowing you to easily find upto-date results.

4 Pin to top

Incoming messages you don’t want to forget about can be pinned to the top of the inbox.

HOW TO Set up and use Outlook for Mac

1 Add an account

Once you’ve downloaded and installed Outlook from the Mac App Store, click on the Outlook menu and choose Settings, then Accounts. Click the ‘+’ (at the bottom) and choose New Account. Type the email address and click Continue.

2 Finish adding account

Once you’ve typed in the email address, Outlook will determine the type of account it is and ask you for the details it needs. You will need to generate an app-specific password on appleid.apple. com for iCloud email accounts.