How can I automatically (by typing) sort by "from" in Outlook 2007?
October 29, 2008 2:14 PM Subscribe
How can I automatically (by typing) sort by "from" in Outlook 2007?
When using the "mail" function of Outlook (as opposed to using the calendar, tasks, contacts, etc), it's possible to arrange or sort mail in your inbox or other folders according to "From", "Subject", "Received", etc.
Sometimes I try to sort according to a specific sender (using the From column). In the past, I've been able to click on the "From" button, and can then type the name of the sender to bring up the emails I received from that sender or contact.
However, something happened recently (I blame the IT guy, naturally), where I can't do that anymore. Instead, I have to click the FROM column, and then scroll down alphabetically (using my mouse) to try to find the sender I'm looking for.
Any ideas on how to (re)enable the typey-typey search method I described above?
I'm using MS Outlook 2007 using an Exchange connection.
When using the "mail" function of Outlook (as opposed to using the calendar, tasks, contacts, etc), it's possible to arrange or sort mail in your inbox or other folders according to "From", "Subject", "Received", etc.
Sometimes I try to sort according to a specific sender (using the From column). In the past, I've been able to click on the "From" button, and can then type the name of the sender to bring up the emails I received from that sender or contact.
However, something happened recently (I blame the IT guy, naturally), where I can't do that anymore. Instead, I have to click the FROM column, and then scroll down alphabetically (using my mouse) to try to find the sender I'm looking for.
Any ideas on how to (re)enable the typey-typey search method I described above?
I'm using MS Outlook 2007 using an Exchange connection.
See that little white text box between your list of messages and the word "Inbox?" Type the person's name there. Alternatively, you can click the little double down arrow next to the text box and type the name directly into the "From" search field.
posted by cnc at 3:04 PM on October 29, 2008
posted by cnc at 3:04 PM on October 29, 2008
To search, you can type "from:Mom", "subject:birthday", etc in the Search box.
To change how the list is sorted, right click on the "Arranged by" header and select new columns.
posted by swift at 3:35 PM on October 29, 2008
To change how the list is sorted, right click on the "Arranged by" header and select new columns.
posted by swift at 3:35 PM on October 29, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks for your suggestions.
To search, you can type "from:Mom", "subject:birthday", etc in the Search box.
The Outlook search function is so bad and so slow that it's not useful for quickly finding an email in the inbox. The IT guy has also refused to install Desktop Search (Google or Microsoft) on this workstation.
See that little white text box between your list of messages and the word "Inbox?" Type the person's name there.
That's the issue actually - this function (being able to type the person's name and get a result) seems to have been disabled. How can I re-enable it?
posted by KokuRyu at 4:07 PM on October 29, 2008
To search, you can type "from:Mom", "subject:birthday", etc in the Search box.
The Outlook search function is so bad and so slow that it's not useful for quickly finding an email in the inbox. The IT guy has also refused to install Desktop Search (Google or Microsoft) on this workstation.
See that little white text box between your list of messages and the word "Inbox?" Type the person's name there.
That's the issue actually - this function (being able to type the person's name and get a result) seems to have been disabled. How can I re-enable it?
posted by KokuRyu at 4:07 PM on October 29, 2008
Best answer: KokuRyu - you need Windows Search installed for that search box to work. There is absolutely no support overhead or security risk to installing it. I can think of no good reason for the IT person to refuse your request.
I've worked in IT for a long time, and my view has always been that I am there to help people like you get work done. Unfortunately, that attitude seems to be the exception. You might try bribery (soda, donuts, coffee gift cards) as a way to it installed.
posted by cnc at 11:21 AM on October 30, 2008
I've worked in IT for a long time, and my view has always been that I am there to help people like you get work done. Unfortunately, that attitude seems to be the exception. You might try bribery (soda, donuts, coffee gift cards) as a way to it installed.
posted by cnc at 11:21 AM on October 30, 2008
Response by poster: I work out of a satellite office (I'm the sole employee working remotely), and for a while:
a) My employer's website would not resolve on my machine
b) I could not connect to Sharepoint
c) I could not connect to Exchange - no email
d) Since our domain would not resolve on my machine, I couldn't even connect to Outlook web access.
As a result, no productivity. The IT guy's response? Talk to the landlord of the satellite office where I work - not his problem.
Eventually he wiped my machine, and eventually *I* got connectivity resolved.
So, yeah, the IT guy is not what I would call an ally.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:40 AM on October 31, 2008
a) My employer's website would not resolve on my machine
b) I could not connect to Sharepoint
c) I could not connect to Exchange - no email
d) Since our domain would not resolve on my machine, I couldn't even connect to Outlook web access.
As a result, no productivity. The IT guy's response? Talk to the landlord of the satellite office where I work - not his problem.
Eventually he wiped my machine, and eventually *I* got connectivity resolved.
So, yeah, the IT guy is not what I would call an ally.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:40 AM on October 31, 2008
Response by poster: IT guy installed Windows Desktop Search on my machine, which restored Outlook functionality. A bizarre solution, but true!
posted by KokuRyu at 7:26 AM on December 16, 2008
posted by KokuRyu at 7:26 AM on December 16, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
When I try the typey-search you describe, it only works for the first letter of the name - typing a second letter will switch to another group of senders starting with that letter.
posted by exogenous at 2:54 PM on October 29, 2008