How to change subject line in Gmail: 3 Ways to control

Do you need help to alter an email subject line in Gmail? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. This guide walks you through the steps you need to know to modify your subject line efficiently. The right subject line can boost the chances of your email getting noticed and read.

An email’s subject line is a brief summary that appears in the recipient’s inbox, serving as a title that explains the core content of the email body.

What Exactly is an Email Subject Line?

The email subject line serves as a headline for your email. It’s a concise summary that pops up in the recipient’s inbox, giving them a quick glimpse of the content awaiting inside.

This subject line typically appears above or adjacent to the sender’s name in Gmail. It’s the first element your recipient will see when they receive your email. This makes it a crucial factor in their decision to either open your message or ignore it. Also, it helps email clients sort and filter emails, making it easier for users to locate specific messages.

Why Does an Email Subject Matter?

While drafting an email, a well-thought-out subject line helps set the right expectation about the email’s content even before it’s opened. A good subject line should be concise and straightforward. Overdoing it with excessive punctuation or all caps may make it seem like spam, so avoid that.

The subject line in an email isn’t just about grabbing attention. It plays a vital role in corporate communication, helping emails stand out in a crowded inbox. Email providers also leverage the subject line to filter emails, so choosing one that accurately represents your email’s content is crucial.

Furthermore, the subject line can determine whether your email gets marked as spam. Thus, a well-crafted subject line helps recipients understand your email better and also aids email providers in correctly filtering your message.

How to add subjects in emails?

Ready to compose a new email? Let’s do it, hit the compose or write option.

In Gmail, while composing an email, the subject line is next to the “To” field. Type in the recipient’s email address, then move to the subject field. Click and enter your chosen subject.

Once you’ve completed your email body, review your subject line again. Click “Edit” next to the subject line to make the necessary changes. Done? Go ahead, and hit “Send.”

How to Change Subject Line in a Reply?

Want to modify the subject line while replying to an email in Gmail? That can be slightly tricky.

When you hit the reply button, you’ll typically only see the recipient’s addresses and the content field. So, where’s the subject line? It’s hidden. To reveal it, click the small downward arrow next to the recipient’s name, then select “Edit Subject.” The previously hidden fields will appear, ready for you to edit.

But remember, only alter the subject line if the conversation’s topic has shifted. Why? Because Gmail groups all email messages based on the subject line as a conversation thread. To keep the conversation threaded, you must stick to the same subject line.

Is it Possible to Edit the Subject of an Email After it’s Sent?

Well, yes and no.

You can only make changes within a few seconds after hitting the send button. Gmail gives you a brief window with a “Sending.. Cancel” or “Message sent.

Undo” message at the bottom left corner. Click “Cancel” or “Undo” to return to the compose window and tweak the subject line.

You must have “Send the cancellation period” set between 5 to 30 seconds under General > Undo Settings.
The other opportunity arises if you have scheduled the email for later instead of sending it immediately.

You can find a “Cancel Send” option at the bottom of the compose window, or select the email from the “Scheduled” list on the left panel and edit the subject.

If you miss these windows, unfortunately, you won’t be able to edit the subject line of a sent email.

To sum it up, altering the subject line in Gmail isn’t rocket science. It can help enhance the clarity and relevance of your email, thereby increasing its chances of being read. Follow the steps this guide outlines, and you’ll be a pro at tweaking your email subject lines.

Remember, an effective subject line can make all the difference in your email communication.