> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.does.qa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.does.qa/test-steps/mail/open-email.md).

# Open Email

Open a message so you can read links and content in the email view.

Open Email opens a message from the chosen inbox. Use it when the Test Case needs to follow a link, read body content, or run Check or Validator steps inside the email view.

![Open Email Test Step](https://app.does.qa/screenshots/node/mail_message_open.png)

## When to use it

* Open the latest message after Wait for email when that message is the one you need.
* Match Subject or From when the inbox holds more than one candidate.
* Combine with [Touch](/test-steps/action/touch.md) on a link inside the open message for journeys such as password reset or [passwordless login](/guides/test-passwordless-login.md).
* Run [Check](/test-steps/check.md) or [Validator](/test-steps/validator.md) steps on the open message for content, [accessibility](/better-coverage/add-accessibility-checks.md), or other checks on the email body.

## Example Flow

Trigger the email, wait for it, open the message, continue from a link, then close the inbox.

![Set value, Wait for email, Open email, Touch, and Close inbox](https://2973996442-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FH10EEO19EDpBHNPowThh%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-69e0a219af8c08d13bb3e9098f4432c0ef64cf51%2Femail-wait-miniflow-approx.png?alt=media)

## Configure

### Basics

| Field               | What to set                                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Inbox**           | `Test Case` (default) or `Account`                       |
| **Message**         | `Latest` (default), `Previous`, `By Index`, or `Custom`  |
| **Property**        | When Message is Custom: `Subject`, `From`, or `Reply To` |
| **Comparison Type** | [Comparison Type](/test-step-options/comparison-type.md) |
| **Value**           | Match text and/or [Values](/values/value-store.md)       |
| **Message Index**   | When Message is By Index                                 |

### Advanced

| Field                                 | What to set                                                          |
| ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Status on fail**                    | [Failed Status](/test-step-options/failed-status.md)                 |
| **When should screenshots be taken?** | `Always` (default) or `On Failures`                                  |
| **Value Standardization**             | [Value Standardization](/test-step-options/value-standardization.md) |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro tip:** For forgotten-password and verification journeys, Wait for email, Open Email, then Touch the link in the message. See [Test a forgotten-password flow](/guides/test-a-forgotten-password-flow.md).
{% endhint %}

## Related

* [Email testing in DoesQA](/guides/email-testing-in-doesqa.md)
* [Wait for email](/test-steps/mail/wait-for-email.md)
* [Select Email](/test-steps/mail/select-email.md)
* [Close Inbox](/test-steps/mail/close-inbox.md)
* [Mail](/test-steps/mail.md)

**Tags:** `mail`, `open`, `email`, `message`