Posted by Denise Seguin.

Does your email inbox overwhelm you? Do you avoid opening your email program because the inbox has too many messages? If your inbox is getting out of control, here are five tips to help you tackle those messages and keep your inbox in check.Tip 1: Use folders to manage information.Whenever I start a new course, project, or activity, I create a folder to store messages related to the task. As soon as I read and respond to a message, I move it to the appropriate course, project,  or activity folder. This means my inbox folder displays only  the messages I still need to address. I manage my inbox daily so that the list of messages is short and manageable.Tip 2: Master Outlook’s search tools.When you need to find a message in a long list of messages, typing a few keywords in the search text box at the top of the Content pane is where most people start. But what if the search results list is too long? Learn how to use the buttons in the Refine group on the Search Tools Search tab. With just a few more clicks you can find the message you need quickly. For example, narrow the search further to specify the keyword(s) are just in the subject line; to show only messages with attachments; or, to show only messages received from or sent to a specific person. Each time you add another filter, the search results list gets shorter and you’ll be closer to finding the message you need.Tip 3: Use rules to manage the inbox.Another way to tame your inbox is to use rules with folders. To start, create a folder to hold messages you want the rule to process. Then create the rule so that as new messages are received, the rule will move the message to the folder automatically. You will be alerted that new messages need to be responded to by the bold unread message count next to the folder name in the Folder pane. For example, suppose you want to stay on top of messages you receive from your supervisor. Create a folder with an appropriate name, such as From Sue. Then create a rule that will move new messages to the folder From Sue automatically when the sender of a message is your supervisor (Home tab, Rules button in Move group).Tip 4: Delete messages right away that don’t serve a purpose.Don’t assume you have to keep every message. How many times have you received a message because you’re on a distribution list but the message is of no importance to you? Other messages are “good to know” items but once read, why keep them? We keep way too many messages that serve no purpose. Be judicious about what you keep. And be on top of it every day. Set aside a few minutes after lunch and before you leave for the day to clean up your inbox. If you do it every day, it will only take a minute or two to keep your inbox in check. Remember that the Deleted Items folder holds messages until you empty it. If you are worried you might delete something and then later regret doing so, you can restore the message from the Deleted Items folder.Tip 5: Only keep the latest message in a conversation thread.Imagine that you and another person exchange several messages back and forth over the course of a few days about a topic. The latest message is a long threaded conversation with all the back and forth dialog. Sound familiar? These types of email discussions can easily fill your inbox with what I call inbox creep. Delete the earlier messages right away so that only the latest message with the entire conversation is kept in a folder. These five tips help me keep my inbox a manageable size. Do you have a favorite tip to share?