Outlook Web Access FAQ
WebMail was working OK so
why did we switch?
How do I check
spelling
Why does the envelope icon remain closed even after
mail is read
How do I add a signature to my messages
How do I copy and paste information
into a message?
How do I change the Date/Time format
How do I enter multiple recipients
How do I delete/move multiple messages
I can't find
messages that I have sent in the Outbox
My Internet
Explorer is below version 5.0 or I use another web browser
When I use "Find" to search for
addresses names in my Contacts are not displayed
Can I preview messages with out opening them?
Messages will not open
when I double click them
I'm still
logged on even after closing all browser windows
When I try to read a message it will not open
I have deleted most of my messages but I still get a 'Mailbox Full' notification
WebMail was working OK
so why did we switch
There were many considerations involved in the decision to move away from
WebMail. Of these there are two primary reasons to move to Microsoft
Exchange/Outlook(OWA):
- The company that produced WebMail is no longer in
business and the product has been sold. The current owners of WebMail have
decided to discontinue development of this software and mark it as
end-of-life.
- Mars Hill College is in the process of migrating to a
new Administrative System called SCT/ABT. This system requires the combination
of Microsoft Exchange/Outlook for many key features. Maintaining two email
systems, WebMail and Outlook(OWA) is not feasible and would cause significant
problems.
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Spell Check:
There is currently no spell check option in this email system. The next version
of Microsoft Exchange Server includes spell checking support. Microsoft has not
set a release date for this version.
A workaround is to copy/paste your message into MS Word and run the spell
checker. In many instances you must use "CTRL-V" to paste information
into a message body as there is a known bug involving the right mouse context
menu in the message body area.
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Envelope Icon:
The envelope icon displayed beside all messages does not change to show an
opened envelope when emails are read. Unread messages are displayed in bold
type, read messages are displayed in regular type.
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Signatures:
Signatures are not supported.
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Copy and
Pasting information:
Data can be copied and pasted into a message body by using standard Windows
commands. These are "CTRL-C" to copy and "CTRL-V" to paste. Most
fields in Outlook Web Access have "right mouse click" context menu support that
has "Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete and Select All" options. There is
a known bug in the message body field that causes this menu not to be displayed
in some situations. In this case use the keyboard shortcut keys, "CTRL-C"
and "CTRL-V".
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Date/Time Formats:
Time/Date format can be changed by selection “Options” button on the “Shortcuts”
menu. Select and scroll down to “Date and Time Formats”.
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Multiple Addresses:
When entering multiple addresses you must separate them with a semicolon (;) A
comma will not work.
For example: nameone;nametwo;namethree
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Message Selection:
You select multiple messages using standard Windows shortcut keys: SHIFT-click
(Select a block), CTRL-click (Toggle selection)
To select a block of messages:
Highlight the first message, press and hold the SHIFT key, click on the last
message, release the SHIFT key.
To select multiple messages:
Press and hold the CTRL key, click each message you want selected, release the
CTRL key.
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Differences in the
Outbox and Sent Items folders
Messages that have been delivered are moved to the "Sent Items" folder. The
"Outbox" is a temporary storage area for messages awaiting delivery. If there
are no system problems this folder should always be empty.
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Drag and Drop and
other advanced functions support:
Advanced functions such as drag and drop, multiple message selection and
context menus (right click), only work if you are using Internet Explorer 5.0 or
greater. Internet Explorer is Mars Hill College’s supported browser so everyone
should be able to use these functions.
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Checking
Names in your Contacts:
The "Find" search only looks at the MHC Global Address List.
When composing a message you may check names in your personal Contacts. To do
this type a partial name in the To: area. (You may enter several partial names
separated by semicolons.) Click the "Check Names" icon
on the toolbar.
All matches for the partial name will be displayed from both the MHC Global
Address List and your personal Contacts. Note: You can change the search
order to look at your personal Contact before the GAL is searched by selecting
"Options" from the shortcut menu.
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Message Preview:
If you are using Internet Explorer 5.0 or above you can turn on Message Preview.
Message preview is turned on and off using the "Message Preview"
icon on the toolbar
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Messages will not
display when double clicked:
Ad-blocking software, such as Pop-Up Blocker, will cause the message to
not open. If you have ad-blocking software installed you must uninstall it. This
software just blocks new windows from being opened by the browser which blocks
some ads but causes legitimate software from functioning properly.
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I'm still
logged on even after closing all browser windows.
You have an application installed that is keeping your logon credentials.
Weather Bug is an example of this type of application since it keeps connections
open to the internet and has an embedded web browser. These applications are not
supported and must be uninstalled for the email system to work correctly.
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When I try to read a message it will not open.
You probably have an application installed that is supposed to block pop-up ads.
This type of software will try to stop the browser from automatically opening
new windows. This may block many ads but it will prohibit many web pages to
function correctly. You must uninstall or disable this software before OWA email
will work.
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I have deleted most of my messages but I still get a 'Mailbox Full' notification
When you delete messages they are moved to the "Deleted Items" folder.
Messages are stored in the Deleted Items folder still count toward your mailbox
size limit are stay there until you remove them. To clear the Deleted Items
folder click the 'Trashcan' icon directly to the right of the 'X' delete icon on
the menu bar. You will be prompted to confirm the delete of all messages in the
Deleted Items folder. Click OK and the messages will be removed and the space
they occupied will be recovered.
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