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Microsoft Outlook 2007

General Navigation Pane Options

The Navigation pane is one way that you can move between the different features of Outlook. The default pane may not meet all of your needs, so you can customize it to better suit your working style.

return to topResizing the Navigation Pane Button Area

To display as much of the screen as possible, you can customize how many buttons to show at the bottom of the Navigation pane. You can also choose to only show certain buttons that you need, and hide buttons you don't often use.

Resizing the Navigation Pane Button Area: Mouse Option

You can directly control the number of Navigation pane buttons that are displayed by clicking and dragging.

  1. Place your mouse pointer between the Navigation pane button area and the Folder list

  2. When the pointer turns to a double arrow, click and hold the mouse button
    Appearance of cursor when resizing pane

  3. Drag the mouse until the Navigation pane is the desired size

  4. Release the mouse button
    The Navigation pane is now resized.

Resizing the Navigation Pane Button Area: Menu Option

You can use the Configure buttons feature to add or remove buttons one at a time.

  1. In the Navigation pane, click CONFIGURE BUTTONSConfigure buttons button» select Show More Buttons or Show Fewer Buttons
    The Navigation pane resizes according to your selection.

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Changing Navigation Pane Width

The Navigation pane width can be easily changed to view long folder names or maximize work space. The pane can also be completely minimized, so that although all of the Navigation pane options are still accessible, only its icons and buttons are displayed on screen.

Changing Navigation Pane Width: Mouse Option

You can use the mouse to drag the Navigation pane to your desired width:

  1. Place your cursor between the Navigation pane and the current folder view

  2. When your cursor becomes a double arrow, click and hold the mouse button
    Resizing the Navigation pane

  3. Drag the mouse until the Navigation pane is the desired width

  4. Release the mouse button
    The Navigation pane is now resized.

Changing Navigation Pane Width: Minimize Option

You can use the Minimize the Navigation Pane button to shrink the entire Navigation pane to a bar at the left side of the screen.

  1. On the Navigation pane, click MINIMIZE THE NAVIGATION PANEMinimize the Navigation pane button
    The Navigation pane minimizes.

  2. To expand the Navigation pane, click EXPAND THE NAVIGATION PANEExpand the Navigation pane button
    The Navigation pane reverts to default size.

return to topRearranging Button Order

You can rearrange the order of the buttons in the Navigation pane so that the ones you use most frequently are at the top of the pane. Doing this will also allow you to minimize the pane's button area such that only those frequently used buttons are displayed, while the others are reduced to smaller icons.

  1. Right click within the button area of the Navigation pane » select Navigation Pane Options...
    OR
    In the Navigation pane, click CONFIGURE BUTTONSConfigure buttons button» select Navigation Pane Options...
    The Navigation Pane Options dialog box appears.
    Navigation Pane Options dialog box

  2. Select the button(s) you would like to move

  3. Click MOVE UP or MOVE DOWN as appropriate

  4. Click OK
    Your changes are made and the Navigation Pane Options dialog box closes.

Resetting Button Order

You can restore the order of the buttons in the Navigation pane to their default order at any time.

  1. Right click within the button area of the Navigation pane » select Navigation Pane Options...
    OR
    In the Navigation pane, click CONFIGURE BUTTONSConfigure buttons button» select Navigation Pane Options...
    The Navigation Pane Options dialog box appears.

  2. Click RESET

  3. Click OK
    The Navigation pane is reset to its default settings.

return to topAdding and Removing Buttons

Adding or removing buttons is another option for customizing the Navigation pane. Removing a button does not remove your access to the feature/folder. All folders and features are accessible from the Folder list or the Go menu.

  1. In the Navigation pane, click CONFIGURE BUTTONSConfigure buttons button» select Add or Remove Buttons » select the desired button
    HINTS:
    Buttons that are highlighted are currently displayed. Selecting them will remove them from the Navigation pane.
    Buttons that are not highlighted are not currently displayed. Selecting them will add them to the Navigation pane.

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