| Outlook can be customized to suit the users' needs. You can find the main area for configuration in the Options dialog box opened through the Tools menu. The Options dialog box is organized into six tabs: Preferences, Mail Setup, Mail Format, Spelling, Security, and Other. Several options contained within the Options dialog box can be accessed through individual menu items; however, this dialog box is organized to allow for centralized configuration.  | Make sure you are familiar with the various configuration options available in Outlook. |
Modifying Settings on the Preferences Tab The Preferences tab is displayed by default when you open the Options dialog box. This tab gives you access to all the major Outlook components , as shown in Figure 5.14. Table 5.5 describes the available options from the Preferences tab. Figure 5.14. The Preferences tab. 
Table 5.5. The Preferences Tab Options | Option | Description | | Email | This option enables you to configure the appearance of messages and the way they are handled when new messages are sent and received. | | Calendar | This option enables you to customize the appearance of the calendar. | | Tasks | This option enables you to customize the appearance of tasks. | | Contacts | This option enables you to configure the default settings for contacts and the journal feature. | | Notes | This option enables you to customize the appearance of notes. |
Each section of the Preferences tab contains buttons that open their own dialog boxes for further configuration. Modifying Settings on the Mail Setup Tab The Mail Setup tab focuses on configuring mail accounts, send/receive options, data files, and dial-up options. Figure 5.15 displays the Mail Setup tab, and Table 5.6 summarizes the options available. Figure 5.15. The Mail Setup tab. 
Table 5.6. The Mail Setup Tab Options | Option | Description | | Email Accounts | This section contains an Email Accounts button that opens the Email Accounts Wizard. This is the same wizard you see when using the Tools menu and selecting Email Accounts. | | Send/Receive | This option sets whether messages are sent immediately when connected. The Send/Receive button is also available to send and receive messages if currently connected. This button is also on the Standard toolbar in the main Outlook window. | | Data Files | The Data Files button opens the management tool for the PST files used within Outlook. The PST files store all information within Outlook: email messages, contacts, appointments, tasks, notes, and journal entries. | | Dial-up | These options determine how Outlook connects to the dial-up accounts configured within the application. |
Modifying Settings on the Mail Format Tab The Mail Format tab allows you to configure outgoing messages. You can set the default message format, such as HTML, rich text, or plain text. You can also set Word to be the default editor so you can take advantage of Word features to edit the messages. You can also configure the outgoing messages with background colors or images using the stationery feature. These defaults can be changed within individual messages if necessary. In a business environment, it is important to include details about the sender, position, contact information, and company the sender works for. To save time, you can create a signature for all outgoing messages. You can customize it according to messages being created versus messages responded to. Figure 5.16 displays the Mail Format tab, and Table 5.7 explains the available options. Figure 5.16. The Mail Format tab. 
Table 5.7. The Mail Format Tab Options | Option | Description | | Message Format | These options enable you to configure the default mail format for outgoing messages. | | Stationery and Fonts | These options enable you to customize the default stationery used in outgoing messages. | | Signature | These options enable you to configure the default signatures for outgoing messages. |
Modifying Settings on the Spelling Tab On the Spelling tab, you can configure how Outlook deals with spelling errors within outgoing messages. Figure 5.17 displays the Spelling tab, and Table 5.8 outlines the options available. Figure 5.17. The Spelling tab. 
Table 5.8. The Spelling Tab Options | Option | Description | | General Options | These options are similar to the Spelling options available in Word. | | Edit Custom Dictionary | This option enables you to modify the custom.dic file, which contains the manual entries into the dictionary. | | International Dictionaries | This option enables you to configure the default dictionary used to check the spelling within outgoing messages. |
Modifying Settings on the Security Tab The Security tab determines what level of security is applied to outgoing messages. You can set these options to determine the level of security on outgoing messages, as well as verify that, when using Outlook to search the Internet, you are viewing only secure content. Figure 5.18 displays the Security tab, and Table 5.9 explains the options available. Figure 5.18. The Security tab. 
Table 5.9. The Security Tab Options | Option | Description | | Secure Email | These options enable you to configure encryption and digital signatures to verify that messages sent and received are secure. | | Secure Content | The Zone Settings are similar to the configuration options found on the Security tab in the Internet Explorer Options dialog box. | | Digital IDs(Certificates) | This option enables you to set the digital certificates on outgoing messages to verify your identity. |
Modifying the Other Tab The Other tab is a collection of misfit configuration settings. You can view the Advanced Options, AutoArchive settings, Preview Pane configuration, and Instant Messaging settings. Figure 5.19 displays the Other tab, and Table 5.10 describes the options available. Figure 5.19. The Other tab. 
Table 5.10. The Other Tab Options | Option | Description | | General | This section contains the Advanced Options button that sets the Startup and Appearance options. | | AutoArchive | This option enables you to configure the AutoArchive settings to determine the frequency and way items are treated during the archive process. | | Preview Pane | This option enables you to configure the way messages are treated when the preview pane is in use. | | Instant Messaging | This option enables instant messaging within Outlook. The Options button opens the Options dialog box, which is similar to the MSN Messenger Options dialog box. |
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