Thank you for attending this introductory session on Gmail. In this class, we explored the basics of using Gmail through a web browser, including how to set up, navigate, and personalize your email experience. This was a great first step in learning how to use Gmail more confidently.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Set Up a Google Account

To use Gmail, you need a free Google account. You can create one at google.com by clicking "Sign up" and following the simple steps. Once created, you can access Gmail and other Google apps.

Understand the Browser vs. App Versions

Gmail has a full-featured browser version and a mobile app. Both access the same emails stored in the cloud, but the browser version offers more features, which is what we focused on in class.

Navigate the Gmail Home Screen

Learn how to use key parts of the Gmail screen, including the side panels, search bar, settings (gear icon), and the app launcher (waffle icon). You can also customize the side panels and hide sections like Google Meet or Hangouts to simplify your view.

Compose and Format Emails

Use the "Compose" button to start an email. You can easily add recipients, format your message with bold, italics, and lists, and attach files or insert pictures. You also learned how to save drafts and resume them later.

Customize Your Inbox and Labels

Gmail offers flexible inbox configurations such as tabs for different categories, unread or important-first views, and preview panes. You also learned how Gmail uses “labels” instead of traditional folders. Labels let you organize emails in multiple ways, and you can create, color-code, and apply multiple labels to any message for easy searching later.

Additional Notes:

Gmail allows you to insert files and photos into the body of the email
Google provides many options to configure the way your inbox looks and performs
Labels are like folders, but much more powerful and flexible. You can have multiple labels for a single message
There are only three "true" folders in Gmail - All Mail, SPAM and Trash. The other options in the left panel are filters for labels.
There are many options for Stars. Configure in Settings>General>Stars

Related GetSetUp classes:

Gmail Intermediate
Gmail - Useful Things You May Not Know
Introduction to Google Apps
Google Drive Basics
Get Started with Gmail - you are always welcome to take the class again!!!

Now that you are more familiar with Gmail, here is an additional resource that may be of interest to you: