Enable Outlook automatic replies

Automatic Replies (formerly called Out of Office Assistant) sends a customized response to a sender’s first email. The automated reply informs the sender that you are out of office, on vacation, or otherwise unavailable to respond to emails. Your out of office message informs senders to expect a delayed response.

There are two ways to create an automatic reply:

• Remains active until you turn it off
• Remains active for a specified date and time range

Remains active until you turn it off

1. Click the File tab.
   
2. In Backstage view, click Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
   
3. On the Automatic Replies menu:
   1. Select the Send automatic replies button.
   2. Type an appropriate message on the Inside My Organization tab.
   3. Type an appropriate message on the Outside My Organization tab.
   4. Click OK.

   

   IMPORTANT: When you choose this option, your automatic reply will remain active until you open the Automatic Replies menu, select the Do not send automatic replies button, and then click OK.

   

← Back to top of page

Remains active for a specified date and time range

1. Click the File tab.
   
2. In Backstage view, click Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
   
3. On the Automatic Replies menu:
   1. Select the Send automatic replies button.
   2. Select the Only send during this time range check box.
   3. Select the Start time and End time from the drop‑down menus.
   4. Type an appropriate message on the Inside My Organization tab.
   5. Type an appropriate message on the Outside My Organization tab.
   6. Click OK.

   

   IMPORTANT: When you choose this option, your automatic reply will automatically turn off according to your specified date and time range.

← Back to top of page

← Back to Outlook Desktop Application