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Does anyone regularly use both Outlook and gmail?

55 replies

LindorDoubleChoc · 24/10/2026 19:43

I have gmail at home and also used it for 11 years in my last job.

Six months ago I moved to a new job where they use Outlook and I still can't get my head around it. The search function is useless. If you've replied to someone you have to open the original email and click "view conversation" to see your reply. I created a folder in Outlook yesterday to move some important stuff I wanted to keep - today that folder has disappeared!

Outlook! Grrr! What is it good for?

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LittleBearPad · 24/10/2026 19:44

Outlook is great and I loathe google docs, sheets and Gmail. Each to their own!

hexsnidgett · 24/10/2026 19:46

I use both and they are both crap.
The built in outlook is less shit.

Whatmesurelynot · 24/10/2026 19:46

Outlook is the absolute bane of my life. I use it for my business and am retiring in a week. Never having to use the utter shit that is Outlook again is one of the main things I'm looking forward to. I hate it with a passion.
I also use gmail for my non work stuff, I find it easy and like it.

DontLiveByTheClouds · 24/10/2026 19:47

I have Gmail and hotmail. Hot mail has vanished from my phone and I can only get those emails in my iPad. Hate outlook and there's nothing coming in there for a year or more.

FieryA · 24/10/2026 19:48

You can change the settings so that the emails + replies can be separated, rather than a conversation. Your folder will be under Inbox- is there a down arrow that will open the folders? Why don't you ask a work colleague to help? Or perhaps watch some beginner tutorials on using Outlook.

RedThroatedWarbler · 24/10/2026 19:48

I use both. Far prefer Outlook to Gmail, and don't get me started on Google docs, sheets etc. Not fit for purpose at all.

There are so many online tutorials/YT videos on Outlook functionality. I have not had issues with finding sent items, searching etc.

MiddleAgedDread · 24/10/2026 19:49

I use outlook at work and Gmail for my personal account. Can’t say I’ve ever had an issue switching between the two or have any problems with outlook.

LittleBearPad · 24/10/2026 19:50

DontLiveByTheClouds · 24/10/2026 19:47

I have Gmail and hotmail. Hot mail has vanished from my phone and I can only get those emails in my iPad. Hate outlook and there's nothing coming in there for a year or more.

You need outlook on your phone or any mail app. Then you can sync all your emails to one place.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 24/10/2026 19:51

I've used both for decades and much prefer Outlook.
What is wrong with the search function? It has allways worked for me.

Not sure what you mean about view conversation.

Shatgtp · 24/10/2026 19:52

Shatgpt moves between outlook and gmail. Shat confirms that web outlook is the shittest - it enjoys hiding your replies for as long as possible, especially when one needs to find info in a hurry.

CalmDownAusten · 24/10/2026 19:53

I'm the same. I've used Gmail long enough to have my not very unique first name dot surname as my address, and started using Outlook with my new job. I agree the search function on Outlook is appalling and it seems to have got worse recently.

DontLiveByTheClouds · 24/10/2026 19:53

LittleBearPad · 24/10/2026 19:50

You need outlook on your phone or any mail app. Then you can sync all your emails to one place.

Normally the emails are all in one place. Either address being used just comes through. Every now and then hotmail disappears. Very frustrating. What normally works is not and now they keep saying they can't connect me.

EarringsandLipstick · 24/10/2026 19:58

I’m not being rude but this is down to your lack of knowledge. Outlook is fine.

In terms of search, you can search across all fields in the search bar, or click the down arrow beside the search bar & use advance search (search by name, subject line, keyword (ie content in email) or date. You do not have to use View Conversations.

For the scenario you describe, just go to your sent emails & sort by recipient or date, you should find it quickly.

The folder hasn’t disappeared. It should be under Inbox, but you may have moved it to another folder in error.

mynameiscalypso · 24/10/2026 19:58

I agree that the search function is Outlook is awful but if you have co-pilot integrated, it makes it much more manageable

EarringsandLipstick · 24/10/2026 19:59

CalmDownAusten · 24/10/2026 19:53

I'm the same. I've used Gmail long enough to have my not very unique first name dot surname as my address, and started using Outlook with my new job. I agree the search function on Outlook is appalling and it seems to have got worse recently.

It’s really not. If you are struggling, use the help menu for details on how to search.

However mostly sorting emails by sender or recipient will work.

EarringsandLipstick · 24/10/2026 20:01

Outlook is integrated with Teams, Calendar, To Do so there’s a whole load of productivity functionality that can be used. It’s good for a lot of things!

SwedishEdith · 24/10/2026 20:05

MiddleAgedDread · 24/10/2026 19:49

I use outlook at work and Gmail for my personal account. Can’t say I’ve ever had an issue switching between the two or have any problems with outlook.

Same. I never delete work emails and use it like a filing cabinet. I can find anything really quickly in it.

Crinkle77 · 24/10/2026 20:11

I've never had an issue with Outlook and much prefer it to Gmail. Although the Outlook app isn't great but I use it mainly on a PC via the Web app so no problem searching for emails, using folders and viewing replies. You can change how emails open to your preferred style. I don't need to click view conversation, I can just see the whole string.

LindorDoubleChoc · 24/10/2026 20:19

FieryA · 24/10/2026 19:48

You can change the settings so that the emails + replies can be separated, rather than a conversation. Your folder will be under Inbox- is there a down arrow that will open the folders? Why don't you ask a work colleague to help? Or perhaps watch some beginner tutorials on using Outlook.

Thank you for replying. Unfortunately I am the most tech savvy of my 4 work colleagues Grin. Only one of them would have an inkling that you could have a folder or that you could view an entire conversation. Don't get me started on spreadsheets (but I prefer Google Sheets to Excel).

We don't do Teams or Zoom or any of that stuff so I wonder if Outlook is actually best for us?

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Meredusoleil · 24/10/2026 20:24

I have Outlook for work and Gmail for personal. Hate Outlook. But hate Teams more. Why can't everyone just use Zoom ffs!

LindorDoubleChoc · 24/10/2026 20:26

EarringsandLipstick · 24/10/2026 19:59

It’s really not. If you are struggling, use the help menu for details on how to search.

However mostly sorting emails by sender or recipient will work.

Why would you need a help menu for details on how to search?

In gmail you search for a word or string or words or name or date and you get a result.

For eg. I just searched for "slippers" in my gmail account and got a result for all the pairs of slippers I've bought since I had the account. And emails from my husband to me asking if I liked the look of the slippers he was considering. And emails from my daughter to me suggesting slippers she'd like as Christmas presents.

I didn't need advice on how to do that.

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MiddleAgedDread · 24/10/2026 20:27

I’m sorry but if you prefer Google sheets to Excel this is a you problem!! 😂

Sherararara · 24/10/2026 20:31

EarringsandLipstick · 24/10/2026 19:58

I’m not being rude but this is down to your lack of knowledge. Outlook is fine.

In terms of search, you can search across all fields in the search bar, or click the down arrow beside the search bar & use advance search (search by name, subject line, keyword (ie content in email) or date. You do not have to use View Conversations.

For the scenario you describe, just go to your sent emails & sort by recipient or date, you should find it quickly.

The folder hasn’t disappeared. It should be under Inbox, but you may have moved it to another folder in error.

This. Outlook is much more powerful. I’m afraid you just don’t know how to use it properly!

Sherararara · 24/10/2026 20:32

LindorDoubleChoc · 24/10/2026 20:26

Why would you need a help menu for details on how to search?

In gmail you search for a word or string or words or name or date and you get a result.

For eg. I just searched for "slippers" in my gmail account and got a result for all the pairs of slippers I've bought since I had the account. And emails from my husband to me asking if I liked the look of the slippers he was considering. And emails from my daughter to me suggesting slippers she'd like as Christmas presents.

I didn't need advice on how to do that.

And if you search for slippers on Outlook you get the same. If you aren’t then it either isn’t set up correctly or you are somehow using it wrong.

LindorDoubleChoc · 24/10/2026 20:33

Lack of knowledge is not anything to be embarrassed about so you don't have to preface your reply with "not being rude".

I'm really asking about the intuitive side of things, tbh. I have problems with Outlook after 6 months (although only 2 days a week at work) that I didn't experience with Gmail. It feels somehow simpler and easier to me especially if you don't do a lot of collaborative work or teams meetings or diary sharing or whatever the hell else Outlook is better for.

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