Capillary electrophoresis is one of the most powerful liquid phase separation techniques known.  It encompasses a range of electrophoretic techniques, including isotachophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, electrochromatography and isoelectric focusing, which combined with the exceptional versatility and flexibility of being able to alter selectivity by simply varying the electrolyte composition, means that there is a separation system for every application.  Achieving these is a difficult and challenging task given the range of mechanisms and parameters that can be varied.  A basic understanding of electrophoretic phenomena and the mechanisms of separations as well as the advantages and disadvantages of electrophoretic separations when compared to HPLC is crucial for obtaining the most of it.  This tutorial will provide an overview of electrophoresis, how it works and what you can do with it as well as how it compares to modern day HPLC instruments and methods.