Reference number: CH000531

How do I view an e-mail header?

Issue:

How do I view an e-mail header?

Reasons:

There are several different reasons to why a user may want to view an e-mail header. Below is a short list of different reasons why a user may want to view the headers.

1. Troubleshoot issues with e-mail.
2. Grab information that can be used to help treat future messages as Spam.
3. Determine who really sent an e-mail.

Answers:

Microsoft Outlook 2000 users

1. From Outlook, right-click the e-mail and choose Options.
2. At the bottom of the Message Options window you will be able to view the e-mail / Internet headers.
3. If you wish to copy this header to use it to help report SPAM, click in this window and press "CTRL + A", or select all the text, and press "CTRL + C" to copy the text.

Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 users

1. Open the e-mail you wish to view the header for.
2. Select File and click properties.
3. Finally, click the Details tab to view the e-mail header.
4. If you wish to copy this header to use it to help report SPAM, click in this window and press "CTRL + A", or select all the text, and press "CTRL + C" to copy the text.

Mozilla Thunderbird users

1. Open Thunderbird.
2. Click View at the top of the Window.
3. Click Headers and select All. Once selected all messages you view will now have the header at the top of the message.

Google Gmail users

1. Open the e-mail in Google Gmail.
2. Click the down arrow in the top-right portion of the e-mail.
3. In the menu that appears after clicking the down arrow click show original. After clicking this a new window will appear with the complete original message including the e-mail header.

Microsoft Hotmail users

1. Open the e-mail in Microsoft Hotmail.
2. In the message click the Options at the top right portion of the screen.
3. Click Mail Display Settings.
4. Within this screen you'll be able to select None, Basic, Full, or Advanced. If you wish to display the headers select Full or Advanced.
5. Click Ok. After completing these steps each message you open will also display the e-mail header.

Additional information:

• See document CH000918 for additional information about understanding an e-mail header.
• Additional information about e-mail terms including e-mail header can be found on our e-mail dictionary definition.