2. Make Gmail look like Outlook

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In this section: 2.1 (Optional) List messages separately 2.2 Add a preview pane 2.3 View your calendar in your inbox 2.4 Create task lists 2.5 Create a signature 2.6 Use and change keyboard shortcuts

2.1 (Optional) List messages separately

Outlook:  Individual messages

Gmail:  Conversation view

Outlook 2016   Outlook 2013   Outlook 2010

By default, Gmail groups a message and its replies in a conversation that’s listed as a single inbox entry. Conversation threads are the recommended way to manage your email; they provide a fast, efficient way to see multiple related messages in one view. However, if you prefer to list messages separately, you can turn Conversation view off. You can switch back at any time. Note: Certain Gmail features (such as Snooze) are only available if Conversation view is on. At the top right, click Settings . To group or ungroup emails with the same topic together, scroll down to Email Threading and check the Conversation view box on or off.

2.2 Add a reading pane

Outlook: Reading pane	Gmail: Reading pane
Outlook 2016   Outlook 2013   Outlook 2010	Similar to the Reading Pane in Outlook, Gmail's Reading pane lets you see the first few lines of messages in your inbox. At the top right, click Settings . Under Reading pane, select your split pane mode: No split Right of inbox Below inbox

2.3 View your calendar in your inbox

Outlook: Calendar peek	Gmail: Calendar view
Outlook 2016   Outlook 2013   Outlook 2010	To the right of your inbox, click Calendar .

2.4 Create task lists

Outlook: Tasks

Gmail: Task lists

Outlook 2016   Outlook 2013   Outlook 2010

On the right of your inbox, click Tasks  to see your task lists. Add a new list—Click the Down arrow Create new list. Change lists—Click the Down arrow and select a list. Add a new task—Click + Add a task. To add a new task from an email, drag the email into a task list. Edit a task—Point at a task and click Edit . Delete a task—For incomplete tasks, click Edit , then click Delete . For completed tasks, point at a task and click Delete .

2.5 Create a signature

Outlook: Signature	Gmail: Signature
Outlook 2016   Outlook 2013   Outlook 2010	Open Gmail. At the top right, click Settings See all settings. In the General tab, scroll to Signature and click Create new. Name your signature, then click Create. This name is not your actual signature, but is a name for the signature template. In the text box at the right, add your signature text. Use the format bar to add text colors, links, and images. At the bottom, click Save Changes.

2.6 Use and change keyboard shortcuts

Turn on shortcuts:

1. At the top right, click Settings See all settings.
2. In the General tab, scroll to the Keyboard shortcuts section and select Keyboard shortcuts on.
3. At the bottom, click Save changes.
4. Type Shift + ? when you have Gmail open to see available keyboard shortcuts.

(Optional) Customize your shortcuts to match what you used in Outlook:

1. At the top right, click Settings See all settings.
2. In the Advanced tab, scroll to Custom keyboard shortcuts and select Enable.
3. At the bottom, click Save changes.
4. At the top right, click Settings See all settings.
5. In the new Keyboard shortcuts tab, change the mappings you want.
6. At the bottom, click Save Changes. 

For more details, see Use Google Workspace keyboard shortcuts.