Introduction to Microsoft Outlook 365 (Self-Guided)

This Microsoft Outlook training is a beginner-friendly, hands-on course that teaches you how to use Outlook 365 to manage email, calendars, contacts, and tasks in one integrated workspace. You will learn essential email skills, inbox organization, scheduling meetings, managing contacts, and tracking tasks using Outlook’s core modules. By the end of this Outlook course, you will be confident navigating Outlook 365 and using it effectively for everyday communication, scheduling, and personal organization.
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3 Months / 24 Course Hrs
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Introduction to Microsoft Outlook 365 (Self-Guided)

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Course code: T14886

This introductory Microsoft Outlook course shows you how to use Outlook’s main modules while staying organized. You will explore the interface, learn how different versions compare, and start to see how Outlook brings your email, schedule, contacts, and tasks together in one place.

You will build confidence with everyday email tasks such as reading, composing, replying, and forwarding messages. Along the way, you will practice organizing your inbox with folders and views, apply junk filtering tools, and explore message options like formatting, stationery, signatures, and delivery controls.

Because learning Outlook goes beyond just email, the course guides you through the Calendar, People, and task-related modules. You will learn how to create appointments, set up meetings, work with multiple calendars, and share your schedule when needed. You will also create and edit contacts, organize them into folders, use the Address Book, and work with contact lists.

Later lessons introduce Outlook’s task features, including both the To Do module and the Tasks module. You will create and update tasks, set reminders, track your progress, and practice delegating tasks when collaborating. Notes are also covered as a quick way to capture information that does not fit neatly into mail or tasks.

By the time you finish this Microsoft Outlook training, you will feel comfortable navigating Outlook’s major modules and using practical workflows that support communication, scheduling, and personal organization.

What you will learn

  • Navigate Outlook’s main modules and versions and manage email accounts and data files
  • Read, create, send, organize, and manage email messages using folders, views, and grouping tools
  • Apply privacy and security features to help protect email and personal information
  • Create, organize, and manage contact information using Outlook’s People tools
  • Create and manage calendar appointments to support scheduling and organization

How you will benefit

  • Work more efficiently in academic or workplace settings by confidently using Outlook as a central hub for communication and organization
  • Save time and reduce errors by keeping email, contacts, and schedules well-organized and easy to manage
  • Improve reliability and professionalism in communication through consistent email and calendar practices
  • Reduce the risk of data loss, spam, and privacy issues by using built-in security and protection tools
  • Strengthen transferable digital skills that support productivity across many Microsoft 365 applications and work environments

How the course is taught

  • Self-Guided, online course
  • 3 Months access
  • 24 course hours

Lesson 1: Getting Started with Outlook

This opening lesson gives you a comfortable first tour of Outlook. You will learn how to tell which version you're using, take a look around the interface, and get to know the ribbon, screen elements, and helpful keyboard shortcuts. You will also meet the four major modules you’ll use throughout the course: Mail, Calendar, People, and To Do. To round things out, the lesson introduces connecting extra accounts and working with popular services such as iCloud and Google.

Lesson 2: Receiving and Sending Messages

Here you’ll dive into the core of everyday Outlook use: sending and receiving email. You will explore how to read and preview messages, clean up your Inbox, and handle attachments confidently. On the sending side, you will practice composing clear messages, addressing them properly, attaching files, and responding with replies or forwards in a professional way.

Lesson 3: Doing More with Outgoing Messages

This lesson shows you how to fine tune the messages you send. You will learn to save drafts, control when mail is delivered, and set importance or sensitivity levels. The lesson also walks you through using themes and stationery, choosing formatting options, and building your own personalized email signature.

Lesson 4: Managing Received Messages

Once your inbox begins to fill, organization becomes essential. In this lesson, you will learn how to pin important messages, flag items for follow up, sort and search your folders, and save messages outside of Outlook when needed. You will also create mail folders, explore archiving options, and set up rules that help automate day-to-day organization.

Lesson 5: Ensuring Email Privacy and Security

This lesson focuses on staying safe. You will look at common types of junk mail, how Outlook filters them, and how to adjust safe and blocked sender lists. The lesson also introduces the risks found in phishing attempts and malware, along with simple habits that help keep your inbox secure. You will finish by exploring encryption and several key Trust Center settings.

Lesson 6: Managing Contact Information

In this lesson, you will build strong contact management skills. You will practice creating new contacts, updating existing ones, and organizing them with categories. You will learn how to search, import, export, and sync contacts, and how they connect to other modules such as Mail and Calendar. You’ll wrap up by exploring contact folders, the Address Book, and the process of creating and using contact lists.

Lesson 7: Using Outlook Calendars

This lesson helps you take control of your schedule. You will explore the various calendar views, navigate to different dates, and create events with confidence. You will also schedule meetings, set reminders, and build recurring appointments. To build more advanced skills, you will work with multiple calendars, learn how to move events, and discover how to share your calendar when collaboration is needed.

Lesson 8: Managing Received Messages

The final lesson introduces Outlook’s task tools, explaining the difference between the To Do module and the Tasks module. You will create and edit tasks, keep track of what needs to be done, and learn how to delegate or share tasks when working with others. You will also work with Notes, adjusting their size and color so they fit smoothly into your personal workflow.

Self-Study

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to complete this course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac. Chromebook is not compatible.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later
  • Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later
  • Browser: The latest version of Firefox, Chrome, or Safari browsers (although Firefox or Chrome is preferred)
  • For the best learning experience, use Outlook Classic to complete this course. This is the full-featured version that comes with a paid Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office subscription.
    The course also includes coverage of New Outlook for Windows (the free version that comes with Windows 11) and Outlook for Mac. Instructions are also provided for Outlook.com for the features it supports.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Other: Email capabilities and access to a personal email account
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.  

Your course begins immediately after you enroll.​

You have 3 months of access to the course. After enrolling, you can learn and complete the course at your own pace, within the allotted access period. You will have the opportunity to interact with other students in the online discussion area.

There is no time limit to complete each lesson, other than completing all lessons within the allotted access period. Discussion areas for each lesson are open for the entire duration of the course.

Because this course is self-guided, no extensions will be granted after the start of your enrollment.

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