E-mails can quickly become a daily challenge, especially when the inbox is overflowing and it's hard to keep track. However, there is an effective trick that allows you to customize your overview of all emails and quickly view the content without losing the overall view. This guide will teach you step by step how to activate the preview pane in Google Mail and thereby increase your productivity.
Key Insights
- Enable the preview pane for a better overview.
- Choose between vertical and horizontal view.
- Customize Gmail to your individual needs.
Step-by-Step Guide
To change the view options in Google Mail, follow these steps:
First, you need to access the settings of Google Mail. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of your Gmail interface. In the menu that opens, select "Settings."

Once you are in the settings, there is a special tab called "Labs." Here you will find experimental features that you can activate. Click on this tab to display the options.

Now you are on the right page to activate a crucial feature: the preview pane. Scroll to the corresponding option and enable the preview pane. This allows Gmail to let you keep an overview of your other emails while reading an email.

Then click on "Save Changes." Gmail will reload to apply the changes.

After restarting Gmail, you will notice that a new button has been added. This allows you to change the view of your emails. You can choose a vertical split here, which I personally find very practical. This means that when you click on an email, the content is displayed immediately on the right, allowing you to quickly switch to the next topic.

If you have extensive email correspondence, this view is especially useful. You can just scroll through your unread emails and stay up to date.

Additionally, there is also the option to split the emails horizontally. If you choose this view, you will see your unread emails at the top and the content of the selected email below. This option can also be reasonable depending on your personal preference.

However, I personally mostly use the vertical view, as it provides me with more convenience. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself which view is the best for you. I recommend trying it out and choosing the one that appeals to you the most.

Summary – Using Google Mail More Productively – Optimizing Email Overview
In this guide, you have learned the steps to activate the preview pane in Google Mail. With this feature, you get a better overview of your emails and can handle your inbox more effectively. Experiment with the different views and find out which works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate the preview pane in Google Mail?Go to settings, click on the gear, then on "Labs," and enable the preview pane.
What are the benefits of the preview pane?You keep track of your emails while reading the content of an email.
How can I change the view of the emails?After activating the preview pane, you can choose between vertical and horizontal view.