Out of Office Reply


Create an automatic reply to e-mails received while you are out of the office.
 
 

  1. Click Tools > Rules, then click New.
     

  2. Type a name in the Rule name field, such as Out of Office.
     

  3. Click the When event is pop-up list, then click New Item.
     

  4. Next to And items are, select Received. Make sure no other item source is selected.
     

  5. Do not make any selections under Item types.
     

  6. (Optional) If you want to set up the dates during which the rule is in effect. Click Define Conditions, click Delivered in the first drop-down list, click On or After Date in the second drop-down list, then in the date field, select the date you are leaving on vacation. Click the End pop-up list, then click And. On the new line, click Delivered in the first drop-down list, click On or Before Date in the second drop-down list, in the date field, select the date you are returning from vacation, then click OK.
     

  7. Under Then actions are, click Add Action, then click Reply. The Reply dialog box is displayed, showing Reply to Sender selected (you cannot select Reply to All). If you want your reply to include the sender's original message, select Include Message Received From Sender. Click OK.
     

  8. Type a message, for example:

    I will be out of the office from September 3-September 10. If you need assistance during this time, please contact Martha Robbins at extension 1234.
     

  9. Click OK.
     

  10. Click Save, verify that the rule has a check mark next to it indicating that it is enabled, then click Close.

  • Rules that trigger a reply (such as this vacation rule) keep a record of who a reply has been sent to, and make sure that a reply is sent only once to that user.
     

  • Remember to disable the rule upon your return by unchecking the rule.
     
  • To re-use the rule in the future, enable it, select Edit and then Edit Action to update your message.