How to Change the Gmail Layout on PC or Mac

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methods

1Using the Mailbox Menu

2Using the Settings Menu

Other Sections

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Article Summary

This How.com.vn teaches you how to switch your Gmail inbox to one of the other available mailbox layouts, using an internet browser.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mailbox Menu

1. 
   1
   Open Gmail in your internet browser. Type mail.google.com into the address bar, and hit ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return on your keyboard.
2. 
   2
   Click the SIGN IN button. This button is in the upper-right corner of your screen. It will open the sign-in form.
3. 
   3
   Sign in to your mailbox. If you're not automatically logged in, you can sign in with your email address or phone number.

   • Enter your email, username or phone number.
   • Click NEXT.
   • Enter your account password.
   • Click NEXT.
4. 
   4
   Hover over Inbox on the left-menu. It's located below the Compose button near the upper-left corner. A drop-down icon will appear next to the Inbox option.
5. 
   5
   Click the

   

   icon next to "Inbox." This will open a pop-up window where you can view the available inbox types.
6. 
   6
   Hover over one of the inbox types in the pop-up. You can read a short description of each layout here.

   • Default will split your inbox into separate tabs at the top — Primary, Social, Promotions, and Updates.
   • Important First will show what you tagged as important at the top, and list all the other emails in a different section at the bottom.
   • Unread First will list unread emails at the top.
   • Starred First will list starred emails at the top.
   • Priority Inbox will separate your inbox into three sections — Important and unread, Starred, and Everything else. You can customize the first two sections from the "⋮" menu on the top-right.
7. 
   7
   Select the inbox type you want to use. This will instantly switch your mailbox to the selected layout.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the Settings Menu

1. 
   1
   Open Gmail in your internet browser. Type mail.google.com into the address bar, and hit ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return on your keyboard.

   • If you're not already logged in, click the SIGN IN button on the top-right corner, and sign in with your email address or phone number.
2. 
   2
   Click the

   

   button on the top-right. You can find this button in the upper-right corner of your mailbox. It will open a drop-down menu.
3. 
   3
   Click Settings on the menu. This will open your mailbox settings.
4. 
   4
   Click the Inbox tab. This button is located between Labels and Accounts and Import at the top of Settings.
5. 
   5
   Click the drop-down menu next to "Inbox type." You can use this menu to switch between different inbox types like Default, Important First, and Unread First.
6. 
   6
   Select the inbox type you want to use. This will switch your mailbox to the selected layout.

   • You can customize your selected inbox layout in "Inbox sections" or "Categories" below the Inbox type menu.
7. 
   7
   Customize your "Inbox sections" below "Inbox type" (optional). Depending on the inbox type you select, you can customize each section's settings, or add a new section to your inbox layout.

   • If you're using the Default inbox, you'll see "Categories" here instead of "Inbox sections." Just click and check the box next to the categories you want to use.
   • For other inbox types, click the Options button next to a section, and select how many items you want to see here, or change it to a different section.
   • If you see an Empty section, click Add section to add a new section.
8. 
   8
   Click Save Changes at the bottom. This will save and apply all your changes.
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