Essential Digital Skills Level 1

111 videos, 7 hours and 55 minutes

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Receiving and sending emails

Video 25 of 111
4 min 38 sec
English
English
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Using Gmail: Receiving and Sending Emails

Receiving Emails

Once your email account is set up, the next step is to start receiving and reading emails. Here’s how you can do that:

  • When you receive an email, it will appear in your inbox. Unread emails are displayed in bold text.
  • For example, if you have received two emails, the unread email will be in bold, and the read email will not be.
  • You can also see a number indicating the unread emails next to the inbox label on the left-hand side.
  • To read an email, simply click on it. This will open the email, allowing you to see the sender, the message content, and any footers or additional information.

Replying to Emails

If you want to reply to an email:

  • Click the reply button, which is an arrow icon on the right-hand side of the opened email.
  • A new window will open below the original message where you can type your response. For example, you might write: "Thank you for your email."
  • Once you have finished your message, click the send button.
  • A confirmation message will appear at the bottom, stating "Message sent."
  • Return to the inbox, and you will see that both emails are no longer in bold, indicating they have been read.

Composing a New Email

To send a new email:

  • Click the "Compose" button at the top left of the screen.
  • A new email window will appear where you can enter the recipient's email address.
  • Add a subject line to provide a brief summary of the email content. For example: "Can we meet on Friday?"
  • In the body of the email, you can type your message, such as: "Hi, are you free on Friday to meet at the club?"
  • You can also add your name at the end of the message.
  • Additional options are available at the bottom of the window, including attaching files, inserting photos, and adding emojis.
  • Once you are satisfied with your email, click the send button. A confirmation message will appear at the bottom left, stating "Message sent."

Checking Sent Emails

To verify that your email has been sent:

  • Click on the "Sent Mail" folder on the left-hand side.
  • Here, you will see all the emails you have sent, including replies and new messages.
  • You can click on any sent email to view it.

Managing Emails

To manage your emails:

  • If you want to delete an email, click the dustbin icon. Deleted emails are moved to the "Deleted Items" folder and will eventually be permanently removed.
  • If you prefer to keep the email but remove it from your inbox or sent items, click the archive button. The email will be stored in your account but will no longer clutter your main folders.

Conclusion

This guide provides a basic overview of how to receive, read, reply to, and compose emails using Gmail. These fundamental skills will help you manage your email communication effectively.