M
Max Lvov
The Navigation Pane in Outlook 2003 offers some really cool features such as
search folders, but it suffers from lack of navigation usability. Strangely
enough, the previous version (I upgraded from Outlook 2000) with its
Shortcuts + Folder list provided greater navigation. First, these two panes
could be displayed simultaneously, which is impossible in Outlook 2003.
Second, and more important, the Folder List was automatically navigated (i.e.
moved selection and scrolled) to the folder opened with shortcut. It allowed
easy access to folders nearby my shortcuts. This way I was able to add a
shortcut to one folder and easily access its subfolders, without being have
to add them all as shortcuts.
Now, with Outlook 2003, I have to scroll All Mail Folders - or click Folder
List and scroll that pane - every time I need to open a non-favorite folder.
Folder List is easier because it at least changes the selection to the
current folder (however, doesn't change the scroll position), but harder
because I have to always click an extra button to change the panes.
Alternatively, I could add to favorites all hundred or so folders that I need
to access from time to time, rendering the Favorites pane hardly usable -
this is not an option.
Now, here are the concrete suggestions:
1) Make it possible to display Folder List (All Folders) _together_with_ the
Favourite Folders or Shortcuts in a second left pane, like it was possible to
do in previous version of Outlook. It if often convenient to have both
favorites (or shortcuts) and the entire folder tree displayed simultaneously.
You may also assign a hotkey to quickly show and hide the Folder List to
save the screen's real estate.
2) (Perhaps, optionally?) Have All Folders and All Mail Folders panes
automatically change selection and scroll to always keep the current folder
selected and visible in the pane. It will significantly ease navigation to
folders other than favorites or shortcuts.
I will let other people request being able to hide Favorite Folders. I don't
mind it and even find it useful
. Would be even more useful in combination
with the above suggestions implemented.
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...cb8712d60&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general
search folders, but it suffers from lack of navigation usability. Strangely
enough, the previous version (I upgraded from Outlook 2000) with its
Shortcuts + Folder list provided greater navigation. First, these two panes
could be displayed simultaneously, which is impossible in Outlook 2003.
Second, and more important, the Folder List was automatically navigated (i.e.
moved selection and scrolled) to the folder opened with shortcut. It allowed
easy access to folders nearby my shortcuts. This way I was able to add a
shortcut to one folder and easily access its subfolders, without being have
to add them all as shortcuts.
Now, with Outlook 2003, I have to scroll All Mail Folders - or click Folder
List and scroll that pane - every time I need to open a non-favorite folder.
Folder List is easier because it at least changes the selection to the
current folder (however, doesn't change the scroll position), but harder
because I have to always click an extra button to change the panes.
Alternatively, I could add to favorites all hundred or so folders that I need
to access from time to time, rendering the Favorites pane hardly usable -
this is not an option.
Now, here are the concrete suggestions:
1) Make it possible to display Folder List (All Folders) _together_with_ the
Favourite Folders or Shortcuts in a second left pane, like it was possible to
do in previous version of Outlook. It if often convenient to have both
favorites (or shortcuts) and the entire folder tree displayed simultaneously.
You may also assign a hotkey to quickly show and hide the Folder List to
save the screen's real estate.
2) (Perhaps, optionally?) Have All Folders and All Mail Folders panes
automatically change selection and scroll to always keep the current folder
selected and visible in the pane. It will significantly ease navigation to
folders other than favorites or shortcuts.
I will let other people request being able to hide Favorite Folders. I don't
mind it and even find it useful
. Would be even more useful in combinationwith the above suggestions implemented.
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...cb8712d60&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general