Are you planning to take a vacation or attend a conference, but worried about missing out on important emails? Don’t worry! Outlook has got you covered. With the out-of-office reply feature, you can let your colleagues and clients know that you’re away from your desk and won’t be able to respond immediately. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up an out-of-office reply in Outlook, whether it’s on the desktop app or website. So sit back, relax, and learn how to ensure that your absence doesn’t affect your professional communication.
What are the requirements for out-of-office replies on Outlook?
Before we delve into the process of setting up an out-of-office reply in Outlook, let’s take a look at the requirements and guidelines.
Firstly, you need to have an active Outlook account to use this feature. Whether you’re using the desktop app or website version, make sure that your email address is linked to your account.
Secondly, decide on the date range for which you want your out-of-office reply to be active. You can choose a specific starting and ending date or leave it open-ended until you manually turn off the feature.
Thirdly, create a concise message that conveys your absence and when you’ll be available again. Be professional but don’t shy away from adding a bit of personality or humour if appropriate.
Fourthly, ensure that your inbox has enough space for incoming messages during your absence period as they will still be stored in there until you return.
Make sure that any important contacts are added to your safe senders list so their emails aren’t marked as spam while you’re away. With these requirements in mind, let’s move onto how exactly to set up an out-of-office reply on Outlook!
How to set up an out-of-office reply in Outlook (Desktop app / Website)
Setting up an out-of-office reply in Outlook is a simple process that can be done using either the desktop app or website. Here’s how to do it:
Desktop App:
1. Open Outlook on your computer
2. Click on “File” and then select “Automatic Replies”
3. Choose whether you want to send automatic replies for all email accounts or just one specific account
4. Set the time period for which you want the auto-reply activated
5. Enter your message in the text box provided, including details such as when you will return, who to contact in case of emergencies, etc.
6. Click “OK” to save your settings
Website:
1. Go to Outlook.com and log in with your credentials
2. Click on the gear icon located at the top right corner of your screen and choose “View all Outlook settings”
3. Select “Mail” from the left-hand menu and click on “Automatic replies”
4. Follow steps 3-6 as outlined above
It’s important to note that automatic replies are only sent once per sender during each activation period, so if someone sends multiple emails during that time frame they will still only receive one auto-response from you.
Setting up an out-of-office reply ensures that anyone trying to reach you knows when they can expect a response, and provides them with alternative contacts should they need immediate assistance while you’re away from work!
How to set up an out-of-office reply in Outlook by using rules
Setting up an out-of-office reply in Outlook by using rules is another option available for users who want to automate their email correspondence while away. This method allows you to create a set of conditions that must be met before your automatic response is sent.
To start, open Outlook and navigate to the “Rules” menu under the “Home” tab. From there, click on “Manage Rules & Alerts.” This will bring up a window where you can create new rules or edit existing ones.
Click on “New Rule,” then select “Apply rule on messages I receive.” Next, set your conditions for when the rule should apply. For example, you could choose to only send an automatic reply if the message contains specific keywords or if it’s from someone outside of your organization.
Once you’ve set your conditions, click on “Reply using a specific template” and choose the email template containing your out-of-office message. Make sure to check off the box that says “Turn on this rule.”
Using rules to set up an out-of-office reply in Outlook can save time and ensure that only relevant emails receive automated responses.

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