In Microsoft Outlook, how do I customize the way my mail is presented to me?

In all versions of Outlook, the View menu provides options for customizing the presentation of your email. Most of the options are toggled on/off simply by selecting the option from the View menu. Some of the most commonly used options are:

• AutoPreview: In versions of Outlook for Windows, selecting AutoPreview displays a partial view of your email messages.
  
  
• Preview Pane or Reading Pane: Selecting Preview Pane (or Reading Pane in Outlook 2003) displays your email messages in a pane to the right of or under your folder index. You can read entire messages in this pane, without opening the message.
  
  
• Folder List: Selecting Folder List displays the folder list on the left. (In Outlook 2003, the Folder List is in the Go menu, rather than the View menu.)
  
  
• Outlook Bar or Navigation Pane: Selecting Outlook Bar (or Navigation Pane in Outlook 2003) displays a row of icons at the left of the window to access common folders in Outlook.
  
  
• Custom Views: You may define your own custom views to your liking:
  
  
  • In Outlook 2003, select Arrange By, then Current View, then Customize Current View, and finally Other Settings.
  • In Outlook 98, 2000, and 2002, to change the font size, select Current View, then Customize Current View, and click the Other Settings button.
  • In Outlook 2001 for Mac OS, select Current View, then Define Views... .
  • In Outlook 97, selecting Format View allows you to change the font and font size of the column headings, the mail subject line, and the auto-preview text.

Also see:

• In Microsoft Outlook, what options do I have for arranging the contents of my folders?
• In Outlook 2002 or earlier, what is the Folder List view, and how do I turn it on or off?
• In Microsoft Outlook 2000, 2002, or 2003, why is the email I forward formatted strangely?
• In Microsoft Outlook 2002 and earlier for Windows, when making changes to the body of replies, how do I keep Outlook from inserting my name?
• In Outlook, what message formats are available, and how can I change formats?