How to Organize Your Emails into Folders

A tidy inbox makes emails much easier to find. Here's how to create folders and move emails into them in Gmail and Outlook.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Create a new folder or label
2.Move emails into your folders
3.Set up rules to sort emails automatically
4.Unsubscribe from emails you do not need

Create a new folder or label

~21s

In Gmail, scroll down the left sidebar and click "+ Create new label." Name it something clear like "Bank," "Family," "Medical," or "Receipts" and click Create. In Outlook, right-click "Inbox" in the left sidebar and choose "New folder." Type a name and press Enter.

Quick Tip

Gmail calls folders "Labels" but they work the same way — they help you group related emails together.

Move emails into your folders

~18s

In Gmail, check the box next to an email, then click the label icon at the top of the screen and pick the label you want. In Outlook, right-click the email and choose "Move," then select your folder. You can also drag and drop the email onto the folder name in the sidebar.

Set up rules to sort emails automatically

~17s

In Gmail, open an email, click the three dots menu, and choose "Filter messages like these." Then select "Apply label" and pick your label. Future emails from that sender will go there automatically. In Outlook, go to Home, then Rules, then Create Rule, and set your conditions.

Unsubscribe from emails you do not need

~20s

The fastest way to tidy your inbox is to open any newsletter you no longer want, scroll to the very bottom, and click "Unsubscribe." In Gmail, many marketing emails also show an "Unsubscribe" link right at the top, next to the sender name.

Quick Tip

Unsubscribing from emails you never read can cut your daily inbox clutter in half.

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folders

organize

gmail

outlook

intermediate