What's Changing
Your email is moving from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook. Think of it as upgrading to a new car - the steering wheel is in the same place, the road is the same, but the dashboard looks a bit different.
Your email address stays the same. Your contacts come with you. The only thing that changes is the app you use to read and send email.
What Stays the Same
- Your email address - no change at all
- Your contacts - they transfer automatically
- Your email history - past emails are migrated over
- How email works - compose, send, reply, forward - all the same concepts
Getting Started with Outlook
Opening Outlook on Your Computer
- Click the Outlook icon on your desktop or taskbar
- If you don't see it, search for "Outlook" in the Windows Start menu
- Sign in with your work email and the new password you were given
Opening Outlook on the Web
- Go to outlook.office.com in your browser
- Sign in with your work email address
- You'll see your inbox right away - it works a lot like Gmail's web interface
The Outlook Layout
Here's what you'll notice right away:
- Inbox is front and center, just like Gmail
- Folders are on the left (instead of Gmail's "Labels")
- The reading pane shows your selected email on the right
- New Email button is at the top left - same as Gmail's "Compose"
Gmail to Outlook - Quick Comparison
| What you did in Gmail | How to do it in Outlook |
|---|---|
| Click Compose | Click New Email |
| Star an email | Click the Flag icon |
| Use Labels | Use Folders (drag and drop) |
| Archive | Click Archive or press E |
| Search mail | Click the Search bar at the top |
| Add an attachment | Click the paperclip icon |
Tips for Dealership Staff
- Shared mailboxes (like your dealership's service@ or sales@ address) work similarly - your IT team will set these up for you
- Calendar invites come right into Outlook too - no more switching between Gmail and Google Calendar
- Teams chat notifications can appear in Outlook, so you won't miss messages from colleagues
- Use Focused Inbox to automatically sort important emails from less urgent ones
Keyboard Shortcuts You Already Know
If you used Gmail keyboard shortcuts, many of them work in Outlook too:
- R - Reply
- F - Forward
- E - Archive
- Ctrl + N - New email
- Ctrl + Enter - Send
Need Help?
If you can't find something or something doesn't look right:
- Check the Quick Start guide on this site
- Ask a colleague who has already been migrated
- Contact your dealership IT contact
- Email the CanadaOne IT team at it@canadaoneauto.com