Microsoft Outlook 101 ~ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log on?
You do not log on separately to access your email.  When you log onto the network, you simply need to open Outlook by clicking the Outlook icon (just like you would use Word or Excel).  For security reasons, be sure to log off (or lock your computer) when you step away from the computer.

What is my logon ID?
Your network ID (which includes access to your email) is first initial + last name, e.g., jsmith.

What is my email address?
Your email address is first initial+ last name@norwood school.org, e.g., jsmith@norwoodschool.org.   

What about my password?
When you receive your laptop you will be given a temporary password.  The first time you logon you will be required to change it.

Can I select any password?
Passwords must be at least 6 characters and must contain letters, numbers, and punctuation characters. No spaces, slashes, or question marks.  This is not as hard as it sounds.  Examples are “6*tball” or “$1dollr.”  Passwords must be changed annually.

What if I forget to log off?
Logging off is critical.  If you forget to log off, others will have access to your email, your network space, and other faculty documents.

How do I compose and send a message?
You may open a new message by going to "File" on the toolbar, then to "New," then "Mail Message". 

How do I read my mail?
When you open Outlook, you will automatically be in your Inbox.  New email messages will be in bold.  Double-click to open and read an email.

Where do my messages save?
Outlook has both an "Inbox" and "Sent Items".  Email you have sent is in your "Sent Items," and email you receive is in your Inbox. [Email waiting to be sent is in your "Outbox" if you are working offline. Email drafts that you have saved will be in "Drafts."

When sending a message, can I type in a partial name and have it fill in the rest?
Yes, use the "Check Names" button; or when Outlook recognizes what you are typing, it fills in the rest and underlines it.  If it does not get underlined, Outlook did not find a match or found more than one match.  Click Check Names to have Outlook display a list of matches found.

Can I create a personal address book in Outlook?
Yes.  In Outlook, your personal addresses are called Contacts. 

Is there a Norwood directory and global email lists?
Yes. All necessary global email lists are managed by the technology office.  There is also a directory in Outlook.

What about Reply All and Reply Sender?
You must make a deliberate selection of Reply All or Reply Sender.

Can I spell check?
Yes. You can also indent, use bullets, check grammar, and do other formatting.  Outlook uses Microsoft Word as its word processor.

Can I unsend?
Yes.  To “unsend,” open the original message you sent.  In Actions on the toolbar, click Recall This Message.  You will then have the option to delete or replace unread copies of the message.  (You cannot unsend messages that have already been read or messages that were sent outside of Norwood.) Note that the recipient will receive an email saying that you would like to recall the message.

Can I undelete?
Yes.  In Outlook, permanently deleting is a two-step process.  First, drag the item in to the Delete Folder.  There is no time limit for how long items may remain in the folder; however, they do still count towards your allocated space.  To permanently delete an item, empty the Delete Folder. 

Can I check history?
You may ask for a delivery and/or a read receipt, but Outlook does not have a History function like FirstClass.  To know if someone has read your email, you must indicate prior to sending the message that you want to track it. 

Can I still check my Norwood email from home?
Yes.  When you are way from school, you may go through the Norwood web site to access your Norwood email.  . 

What about accessing the Internet from my laptop?
Norwood faculty and students will use their own Internet Service Provider to access the Internet from their laptops.  For more information see the Help Sheets in the Faculty Forum on the web site.

Is there a limit to the amount of email I can have in my Inbox and Outbox?
Yes.  Each user has a 20 MB space limit.  You will receive a warning when you approach your limit.  You may archive (save) important email messages by dragging them to your Email Archive Folder.

How can I tell how much space I have used?
To determine how much space you have used, right click on your name in Outlook Today, select Properties, then click Folder Size.

Will my emails expire?
No.  Your email will not expire, however, you are encouraged to delete unimportant email and archive important email so you do not run out of space. 

Do I have a calendar?
The calendar is one of the most useful and powerful features of Outlook.  You will have your own personal calendar and access to school calendars.

What if I have more questions?
Outlook has a great Help feature that can answer most of your questions.  If you still have questions, contact Sara Tenney in the Technology Department.

Click here to see the parts of the Outlook window described.

Revised 8/2/04 dmo