Once you start using Gmail, you won’t just send emails—you’ll also receive them. When you open a message, you can read it, reply, forward it, open any attachments, or save it for later by adding a star. If you’re away for a while, you can set a vacation reply.

Reading Emails in Gmail

All new emails appear in your inbox. Unread emails are in bold. You’ll see the sender’s name, subject, and the first few words of the email before you open it.

To read an email:

1. Click the message in your inbox.
   
   
   
2. It opens in the same window.
   
   
   
3. Click Show details to see the sender’s address, other recipients, and the send date.
   
   
   
4. Add a star to mark it for later. Use the star icon next to the sender’s name or the More menu.
   
   
   
5. Use Newer and Older to move between messages.
   
   
   

Opening Attachments

Emails with attachments show a paper clip icon. To open them:

1. Click the email.
2. Select the Download icon to save it.
   
   
   
3. Choose Save and open it from your computer.

Open attachments only from trusted sources. Some files, especially .exe files, may contain viruses.

Replying to Emails

When you reply, Gmail fills in the sender’s address.

• Reply sends your message to the sender only.
  
  
  
• Reply to all sends it to the sender and all recipients.

To reply:

1. Open the email.
2. Click Reply or Reply to all.
3. Check the To and Cc fields.
4. Type your message and click Send.

Forwarding Emails

Forwarding sends a copy of the email to someone else.

1. Open the email.
2. Click Forward at the bottom or in the More menu.
   
   
   
3. Enter the recipient’s email.
4. Add a note if needed.
5. Click Send.

Conversations in Gmail

Gmail groups related emails into conversations. The number next to the sender’s name shows how many emails are in the thread. Click to view all messages, and click a single message to expand or minimize it.

Adding a Vacation Reply

If you’re away and can’t check emails, set up a vacation reply.

1. Click the gear icon and choose Settings.
   
   
   
2. Scroll to Vacation responder.
3. Choose a start date (and end date if needed).
4. Type your subject and message.
   
   
   
5. Select if the reply goes only to contacts.
   
   
   
6. Click Save Changes.

A banner will appear when the vacation reply is active. Click End now to stop it early.