Threading in Apple Mail: This Kind Doesn't Hurt

Of all of the programs I use on my computer, Apple Mail is definitely the one constant. At work, flurries of emails shoot back and forth feverishly about new product releases, upcoming events, and interoffice bocce tournaments; at home, they move at a somewhat slower pace, but they remain my connection to the friends and family outside of our Vermont bubble.

In my busy world, email has replaced the telephone where work contacts are concerned, as do quick email messages or Facebook/Myspace/(Insert social network of your choice here) comments instead of a phone call (I’m working on that, mom).

I was reminded the other night (at a Small Dog gathering in the local watering hole (ha, who says that anymore?), no less) about a feature I’ve come to love about Mail: Organization by Thread. I started utilizing this feature about the third day I worked here, because I realized that too many emails could end up buried if I didn’t.

What this does is consolidate all of those messages to which people have “replied all.” On any given day, one thread could warrant 20+ responses, and completely take over your inbox if you’re not careful. However, if you organize by Thread, it will keep them all together via a handy drop-down arrow.

I love that the whole conversation is grouped together, even if many days/weeks/months have passed along the way. (Side note: Google Mail (which I also use) also has a feature similar to this, in that it tracks “conversations,” so that you don’t have to look at all of the separate emails from one person if they all include the same subject.)

Many of you may not have enough email to wade through for this to be helpful, but it’s a fantastic way to keep track of like emails. It certainly makes my Inbox seem much easier to manage.

To turn on Thread View, check Organize by Thread under the View menu. There are also options underneath this to Expand or Collapse All Threads. Simply uncheck the option to view your Inbox as-is.

Thanks to AE, who conveniently uses this feature to delete whole email threads that are of no interest to him. No wonder I rarely hear from him.