The To Emails window is a standard field in the To field, Sender field, and subject area. You may see two other areas: CC and BCC. Both of these fields are not mandatory fields ie, you can send emails without filling them in, and they may often be hidden from the default UI.
CC and BCC
CC and BCC fields are fields for sending an email or multiple emails. When you send a message, everyone in the To, CC, and BCC fields receives it.
CC stands for Carbon Copy and BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy. If you’re not sure what carbon copy means, it’s a term that came from an old story; carbon paper. Carbon paper is paper, coated with ink (that stains your hands and everything else it comes in contact with). It is inserted between two papers. You write on the paper at the top, and it is automatically copied to the paper below with permission from the carbon paper.
It is important to know that CC and BCC do not send separate messages. The same message, the same thread, is sent to everyone.
Difference between CC and BCC
Email addresses entered in the CC field are visible to everyone else to whom the message is sent. If you email someone CC, the recipients added in the To field will be able to see everyone in the CC field.
Email addresses entered in the BCC field are not visible to anyone. They are ‘blind’ or hidden. If you want to send an email to someone, but also add someone else to the list of recipients without others noticing, the BCC field is the tool for the job.
Email etiquette: Using CC
There are no laws or scriptures about the use of CC and BCC. However, there are e – mail usages that you should follow when using these fields. Failure to do so will result in enemies at work.
The CC field should be used when;
- You want to keep someone in the loop about something but that doesn’t require an answer from them
- You feel that the message is something that someone may need to know at some point
- Supervisor
- Supervisor / manager for you and the other person, if you work in different departments / divisions. This is best used if the supervisor / manager needs documentation on when work will be assigned between departments.
When not to use CC;
- To keep a leader in the loop when not needed.
- To use the message as documents of the work you are doing
- To prove a point
Contrasting use of CC;
You should not use CC unnecessarily and include people in messages when they do not need to be included. That said, if you suspect a co-worker won’t follow something if a supervisor isn’t included in the message, you can also add them.
You should also use it if a manager wants to confirm that you are working.
Email etiquette: Using BCC
Using BCC basically means ‘telling’ someone. Use this carefully. Nobody knows who else got the message when you add people to the BCC field. Think of it as scheduling a meeting in secret or letting someone in.
BCC should be used with caution and caution. There will be a time when you need to use it and it will be obvious when you need to do it. Other than that, don’t be BCC people in emails. Use the CC field instead.
Conclusion
The BCC field is hidden so no one will know you used it. The CC field is not hidden and will be obvious to use. Recipients will know if they have been added to the CC or the BCC field. Make sure people you BCC do not use the Reply All button.
The post The difference between CC and BCC was first revealed in an email on TechtricksNg.