Organise the Inbox

Create Filters

Learn to automate repeatable inbox actions and reduce manual sorting in this beginner-friendly Gmail lesson.

Learning outcomes

Explain how to automate repeatable inbox actions.
Complete the guided activity safely.
Check that you can reduce manual sorting.

Before you begin

Use the correct account. Practise with fictional content and never share passwords, recovery codes or confidential information.

Open official Google guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

Open Gmail and confirm that the profile picture and email address show the intended Google Account.
Build a safe filter from a sample sender using fictional or non-sensitive practice information.
Pause before any send, delete, sharing, security or account change; check recipients, permissions and likely consequences.
Review the result and confirm that you can reduce manual sorting.
Record one useful habit and safely reverse or remove any temporary practice item.

Ian's practical tip: Email can affect real people immediately. Check the account, recipients, subject, attachments, tone and privacy before you send or share.

Practical activity

Build a safe filter from a sample sender. Your expected result is to reduce manual sorting.

Completion checklist

I used the intended account and safe practice information. I completed and reviewed the activity. I checked recipients, permissions, security and the final result.