How to Move Emails to Folders on Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.

Adrian Vicol avatar
Adrian Vicol
Updated on Oct 20

Email folders are a fundamental feature in most email systems that allow users to categorize, organize, and store emails more effectively. Learn how to set up folders in Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook and effectively sort incoming messages by assigning them to folders. Sept by step guide on how to manually create and manage folders as well as tips and tricks on how to automate email folder creation and email distribution to folders.

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How to move emails to folders on Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.

What are email folders?

Email folders are a fundamental feature in most email systems that allow users to categorize, organize, and store emails more effectively. By creating specific folders for different subjects or projects, users can easily separate incoming emails into relevant categories, such as work, personal, financial, or subscriptions. This not only helps in quickly locating specific messages when needed but also aids in managing the flow of incoming emails. For instance, one might have a folder dedicated to urgent communications, while others might be reserved for newsletters or promotional emails. The use of folders is particularly helpful in managing large volumes of emails, ensuring that important messages aren’t buried under less critical ones. This alone, however does not stop incoming emails from landing in your Inbox and you may need to consider to unsusbcribe from communication you no longer need.

How do I use email folders ?

Utilizing email folders effectively contributes significantly to keeping your inbox clean and organized. With properly labeled folders, the main inbox remains clear, hosting only the most recent or unsorted emails, which simplifies the task of reviewing new messages. This organization minimizes the time spent searching for past emails and reduces the cognitive load of processing clutter. Regularly moving emails to designated folders after reading or actioning them can also help in maintaining a manageable inbox size, reducing stress and enhancing productivity. Over time, this disciplined approach fosters a more streamlined communication system, allowing for quicker response times and a more efficient handling of correspondence.

How to create folders in Gmail.

Creating folders (known as labels in Gmail) and organizing your emails into these folders can help you manage your inbox more efficiently. Here's a straightforward guide on how to create a folder in Gmail and then move messages into it:

how to create a gmail folder label

Creating a Folder (Label) in Gmail

  1. Log In to Gmail: Open your browser, go to the Gmail website, and sign in with your credentials.
  2. Access the Settings: Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner of the screen and select “See all settings” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Go to Labels Tab: In the settings menu, click on the “Labels” tab which is near the top of the screen.
  4. Create New Label: Scroll down to the “Labels” section and click the “Create new label” button.
  5. Name Your Label: Enter a name for your new folder in the box that appears and click “Create”. You can also choose whether to nest the label under another label, making it a subfolder.

Moving an Email into a Folder in Gmail

  1. Select the Email: Return to your inbox and find the email you want to move. Click the checkbox next to the email to select it.
  2. Move to Label: With the email selected, click the label icon (looks like a tag) in the top toolbar. This opens a dropdown menu with your labels.
  3. Choose the Label: Find the label you created from the list in the dropdown. You can use the search bar at the top of the dropdown if you have many labels. Click on the label to add it to the selected email.
  4. Apply the Label: Once you click the label, it attaches to the email. Gmail will automatically update to show the label next to the email in your inbox.
  5. View the Labeled Emails: To see all emails under this label, click the label name from the list on the left sidebar of your Gmail homepage. If you do not see your new label, you may need to click “More” to expand the list of labels.

How to create folders in Yahoo mail.

Creating folders in Yahoo Mail and organizing your emails can greatly enhance your ability to manage and navigate through your inbox efficiently. Here’s a simple guide on how to create a folder in Yahoo Mail and then move messages into it:

how to create a folder on yahoo mail

Creating a Folder in Yahoo Mail

  1. Log In to Yahoo Mail: Open your web browser, go to the Yahoo Mail website, and sign in with your account credentials.
  2. Access Folders: On the left side of the Yahoo Mail interface, you will see a list of existing folders (such as Inbox, Sent, Trash). At the bottom of this list, find and click on the “+” icon next to “Folders” or the "Manage folders" option.
  3. Add New Folder: A new window or prompt will appear. Here, click on the “+ Add” button or simply enter the name of your new folder in the space provided, depending on the interface.
  4. Name Your Folder: Type the desired name for your folder in the field provided. Choose a name that accurately reflects the type of emails you plan to store in it (e.g., Bills, Work, Family).
  5. Create Folder: Confirm the creation of the new folder by clicking “OK” or “Save.” Your new folder will now appear in the list on the left-hand side of the page.

Moving an Email into a Folder in Yahoo mail

  1. Select the Email: Navigate back to your inbox or whichever folder currently contains the email you want to move. Click on the email to open it, or simply check the box next to it in the list view.
  2. Move the Email: With the email opened or selected, look for the “Move” icon in the top toolbar. This icon usually looks like a folder. Click on it to bring up a list of your folders.
  3. Choose the Destination Folder: From the dropdown list that appears, scroll to find the folder you created. Click on the folder name to select it as the destination for the selected email.
  4. Confirm the Move: After selecting the folder, the email will be moved immediately. You can go to the new folder by clicking its name in the left sidebar to verify that the email has been correctly moved.

How to create folders in Microsoft Outlook.

Creating folders in Microsoft Outlook and organizing your emails into these folders is a great way to keep your inbox managed and streamlined. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a folder in Outlook and then move messages into it:

how to create a folder in microsoft outlook

Creating a Folder in Microsoft Outlook

  1. Log In to Outlook: Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer or access it via the web by logging in with your credentials.
  2. Navigate to Folders: In the navigation pane on the left side of the Outlook window, right-click on your email account name or on an existing folder where you want to create a new subfolder.
  3. Create New Folder: From the context menu that appears, select “New Folder.” Alternatively, you can go to the "Folder" tab on the ribbon and click on “New Folder” in the "New" group.
  4. Name Your Folder: Type the desired name for your new folder in the box that appears. This name should reflect the type of emails you intend to store in it, such as "Projects," "Personal," or "Archive."
  5. Confirm Creation: Press Enter or click somewhere outside the input box to create the folder. The new folder will now appear in the sidebar under your email account or as a subfolder under the selected folder.

Moving an Email into a Folder in Microsoft Outlook

  1. Select the Email: Go to your inbox or another folder that contains the email you want to move. Click to select the email.
  2. Move the Email: There are a couple of ways to move the email to your new folder:
    • Drag and Drop: Click and hold the email, then drag it to the desired folder in the navigation pane.
    • Move Command: Alternatively, with the email selected, go to the "Home" tab on the ribbon, click on the "Move" in the "Move" group, and choose your newly created folder from the list. If you don’t see your folder immediately, you might need to click on “Other Folder” to open a dialog box where you can select the folder.
  3. *Verify the Move: Once you've moved the email, click on the folder in the navigation pane to ensure the email has been successfully transferred.

How to automate moving emails to folders and save time ?

Manually creating folders and organizing emails by moving them individually is a meticulous task that demands significant time and attention. For individuals who receive a high volume of emails daily, this process can become particularly burdensome. Sorting emails into specific folders not only involves the initial setup of these folders but also requires continuous management to ensure that incoming emails are categorized correctly. This ongoing need to monitor and sort can detract from productivity, as it consumes time that could otherwise be spent on more pressing tasks. The manual process also demands a high level of vigilance to prevent important emails from being overlooked or incorrectly filed, adding an additional layer of stress and cognitive load.

Utilizing a service like AgainstData can streamline this process considerably, especially for managing unwanted emails such as promotional messages or spam. AgainstData offers tools that automate the process of unsubscribing from undesired email lists. By effectively managing subscriptions, AgainstData helps users maintain a cleaner inbox without the need for constant manual intervention. This not only saves time but also reduces the clutter that can distract from more important communications. By eliminating the influx of non-essential emails, users can focus more effectively on their essential messages, enhancing overall productivity and inbox usability.

Moreover, AgainstData extends its services to include data deletion requests, which can be particularly useful for severing ties with companies altogether. With just one click, users can send a request to delete all personal data that a company holds, which in turn stops all communications from that entity. This powerful feature ensures that users can regain control over their personal information and reduce their digital footprint. By streamlining the process of unsubscribing and requesting data deletion, AgainstData not only simplifies email management but also enhances privacy and data security, offering a comprehensive solution for digital communication challenges.