How do i select an email without opening it?

Opening it is different than viewing it. Turn the Viewer pane off.

Which email client are you using?

Try going to Mail Preferences, viewing tab, click "use classic layout"

Then your messages will show as a list and all you need do is highlight a message and click delete

Different email programs have different settings and are in different places. Most all of them have an option to turn off the Viewer pane. But without knowing which email program you are using how was anyone to know what to tell you to change the setting.

Just because Apple includes a mail program in OS X To Assume you are using Mac Mail.app makes an A$$ out of U and ME.

That is why that question was asked.

SparkyGraphics wrote:

I really don't see how my email client would effect this problem.

It is a preference setting

SparkyGraphics wrote:

I really don't see how my email client would effect this problem.

Each email client has their own settings. Like fingerprints. No two are alike. Some are better than others.

No, sorry.

I am the A$$ for thinking your were using Apple Mail😟

Thank you for the kind words, I hope that this helped you in some way.

Thanks for using Apple Support Comunities🙂

i didn't know there were other options.

CLICKY CLICK--> Mac email clients

I'm a PC user who has recently moved to the other side and know pretty much nothing about Mac.

CLICKY CLICK--->http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2477
Mac Basics: The essentials

CLICKY CLICK---> New to Macs/My First Mac

Thanks for your help.