Using Outlook Web Access (OWA)
Did you know you can check your email from any internet connection in the world? Along with Outlook Exchange comes Outlook Web Access. This is a web-based version of Outlook Exchange. It has a very similar look and feel to what one sees in the client (desktop) version of Outlook Exchange, as well as access to many of productivity tools that users rely on in Outlook Exchange.
Today's tip shows users how to log into Outlook Web Access (OWA), customize the look and feel, and utilize the many tools available in OWA.
Outlook Web Access - Logging in!
To access OWA go to http://owa.uwc.edu. This will bring up the login page for OWA.
Enter your email address and password. To use the full featured version of OWA, click on the Premium radio button. For users who are on their own computer, select the Private computer radio button. Finally, click on the Log On button.
Overview of the OWA Window
The OWA screen looks pretty similar to the Inbox in Outlook Exchange. On the left is the user's folder list and tool options, the middle is the list of incoming messages and on the right is a reading pane. The difference is that users have a toolbar and the Options button instead of the pull-down menus to complete various tasks. Those areas are shown in the image below.
OWA Toolbar
The New button and the menu that will drop down when users click on the arrow give users the ability to create a new email message, new appointment, new contact, new distribution list, new Task, new posing in the current folder and a new Folder in the user's mailbox.
Moving from left to right the other icons perform the following tasks.
- Move or Copy
- Delete
- Reply
- Reply All
- Forward
- Reading pane options
- New messages - click on this to trigger a send/receive of messages
- Search - Allows users to look for messages based on some limited criteria
- Address Book - This allows users to look up other UWC/UWEX users
- Help with OWA
- Log Off - be sure to log off so others don't have access to your account
OWA Options
Click on the Options button in the Inbox to bring up the Options window.
Out of Office Assistant - users can create an out of office message and turn the Out of Office Assistant on or off in OWA.
Messaging Options - There are several options here, including whether or not notifications appear when mail arrives. Also, users should set up a Signature for OWA. The signature used on the client machine will not appear in OWA.
Reading Pane Options - Flexibility in how items are marked as read.
Spelling Options - Users can turn on spell check in OWA.
Junk Mail - Options for filtering junk mail.
Appearance - change the color scheme of OWA.
Date and Time Formats and Calendar Options- set how the day and time is displayed in the calendar.
Reminders - allows users to add reminders to calendar and task items.
Contact Options - users can set which list is checked first - the GAL or the user's contacts.
Password - Users can change their Network/email password.
Recover Deleted Items - allows users to recover items that have been deleted. This is the only way to recover deleted items. It isn't possible to do so in the client version of Outlook. So, if an email needs recovering, users must go into OWA>Options>View Items. Select the message to recover and it will end up in the Deleted Items folder. Next, drag it from the deleted items folder to the inbox. That will recover the item and it will be visible in Outlook on the user's workstation or in OWA.
OWA Inbox
Sending and receiving mail, forwarding messages, attaching messages, and reading OWA mail is basically the same as it is when working in Outlook at the user's workstation. There are some limitations, no voting buttons, but users can set up a read receipt or delivery receipt. Click on the Options button in the new message window to access the option for delivery and read receipts.
OWA Calendar
The Calendar in OWA is pretty similar to the calendar in the client version of Outlook. To add appointments or create a meeting request click on the New Appointment button. 
The button is located on the Calendar Toolbar. The image below shows the calendar toolbar and provides information about the function of the buttons unique to the calendar toolbar.
The New Appointment dialogue box allows users to add appointments and recurring appointments to their calendar, as well as create a meeting request (invite attendees).
When users click on the Invite Attendees button, the dialog box will change to allow for the addition invitees and resources for the meeting. Notice there is an Availability tab to check on availability of invitees and resources.
OWA in Closing
The question that needs answering here is "What is it that users cannot do in OWA that they can do in the Outlook client version?"
- Create voting buttons
- Viewing shared calendars
- Create a group schedule
- Set up filters in the Inbox
- Group messages
- Customize mail to use stationary
- Expand a distribution list to remove individuals from the list
- And a few more things we can live without for that short time we are away from the office
The most important thing every user must do when finished with OWA is to Log Off. The Log Off button is on the top right corner of the OWA window.