Master the search function in Gmail

As you would expect from the search engine giant, Google’s free, cloud-based email service, Gmail, comes equipped with a fantastic search function. It allows you to find whatever you’re looking for in your inbox, outbox or otherwise in an instant.

You may just type whatever you’re hoping to find into the search bar and see what pops up. This is often enough to track down something specific you are looking for, such as a name or an email address.

But the Gmail search function is actually more flexible and intelligent than you might think. It allows you to perform more honed-in searches if you want to save time scrolling through pages of old emails to find what you need.

Click the drop down menu to the right of the search and take a look at the options. For example, you can search for emails to or from specific people, emails from specific dates or time frames, emails in certain folders, search by subject and search for emails with attachments, and much more.