Information Technology Solutions

Information Technology Solutions

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.

NOTE: An automatic reply is delivered only once to each message sender. If you turn off your Automatic Reply feature and then turn it back on, all senders will once again receive your automatic reply the first time they email you.

There are two ways to create an automatic reply:


Remains active until you turn it off

  1. Click the File tab.
    outlook file tab
  2. In Backstage view, click Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
    Backstage view – Automatic Replies (Out of Office) button
  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.

    Automatic replies menu – send automatic replies button – type message

    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.

    Automatic replies menu – do not send automatic replies button

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Remains active for a specified date and time range

  1. Click the File tab.
    outlook file tab
  2. In Backstage view, click Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
    Backstage view – Automatic Replies (Out of Office) button
  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.

    Automatic replies menu – send automatic replies button – Only send during this time range button – type message

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

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RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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