Personalize your inbox

In Gmail, you can personalize the look and feel of your inbox to match your style. You can also customize how messages and other apps are displayed.

Change your inbox type

In Outlook: Choose view options in the ribbon or choose detailed options under File → Options

In Gmail: Choose your inbox type, density, and more in Settings or the Quick settings sidebar.

Choose your inbox type

1. Click Settings

2. Under Inbox type, select one of the following:

   1. Default

   2. Important first

   3. Unread first

   4. Starred first

   5. Priority Inbox

   6. Multiple Inboxes

The settings are also available in the Quick settings sidebar.

Change your background

Change your background

1. At the top right, click Settings.

2. Nest to Theme click View all.

3. In the theme window, select a theme

   1. For a default theme, select Default

   2. For dark theme, select Dark

   3. For a pre-uploaded theme, select any theme

4. Click Save

The settings are also available in the quick settings sidebar.

Add a reading pane

In Outlook: Select reading pane options in the View ribbon.

In Gmail: Turn on preview pane in Settings or the Quick settings sidebar. 

Turn on preview pane.

1. At the top right, click Settings → See all settings

2. On the top, select the Inbox tab and scroll to Reading pane.

3. Check the Enable reading pane box.

4. Select your split pane mode:

   1. No split

   2. Right of inbox

   3. Below inbox

5. At the bottom, click Save changes.

The settings are also available in the quick settings sidebar.

Next Section

In the next section, this guide will walk you through how to collaborate with colleagues.