Automatic mail reply in outlook

The convenience of an automatic mail reply in Outlook!

An automatic mail reply, also known as an out-of-office (OOF) reply, is a feature in Outlook that allows you to send an automated response to incoming emails when you're away from the office or unavailable. Here's how to set it up:

Method 1: Using the Out-of-Office Assistant

1. Open Outlook and go to the "File" menu.
2. Click on "Automatic Replies" (in Outlook 2010 and 2013) or "Out of Office" (in Outlook 2016 and later).
3. Check the box next to "Send automatic replies" and set the start and end dates for your absence.
4. Enter a subject and message for your automatic reply.
5. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Method 2: Using a Rule

1. Open Outlook and go to the "Home" tab.
2. Click on the "Rules" button in the "Move" group.
3. Click on "New Rule" and select "Start from a blank rule".
4. Choose "Check messages when they arrive" and click "Next".
5. Select "Send automatic reply" and click "Next".
6. Set the conditions for your rule (e.g., when you're away from the office).
7. Enter a subject and message for your automatic reply.
8. Click "Finish" to save your rule.

Tips and Variations

• You can customize your automatic reply to include additional information, such as your expected return date or contact information for an alternative person.
• You can also set up multiple automatic replies for different periods of time or for specific groups of people.
• If you're using Exchange Server, you can set up an automatic reply using the Exchange admin center.
• If you're using Outlook on the web, you can set up an automatic reply using the "Settings" icon (gear icon) and then "View all Outlook settings" > "Mail" > "Automatic replies".

By setting up an automatic mail reply in Outlook, you can ensure that your colleagues and clients receive a timely response to their emails, even when you're not available.