Enabling Automatic Out-of-Office Replies

Set up automatic replies in Outlook when you’re away and specify an end date so they stop automatically upon your return.

Outlook for Windows

  1. Select File from the ribbon.
  2. Click Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
  3. In the Automatic Replies window, check Send automatic replies and set a date range (or turn them off manually later).
  4. Under Inside My Organization, enter the message to send to the NU community.
    To send replies to external senders, select My contacts only to avoid sending responses to newsletters, ads, or junk mail.
  5. Click OK to save.

Outlook for the Web

  1. Click Settings (gear icon next to your profile picture).
  2. Go to Account > Automatic replies.
  3. Toggle on Send replies only during a time period to set a start and end time.
  4. (Optional) Enable options to block your calendar, decline new invitations, or cancel existing meetings during the time period.
  5. Compose your message to send to the NU community. 
    To reply to external senders, check Send replies outside your organization and Send replies only to contacts and then compose your automatic reply for external senders.
  6. Click Save.

Outlook for Mac

  1. In the navigation pane, select Mail.
  2. Click Tools > Automatic Replies.
  3. Check Send automatic replies for (your account).
  4. Under Reply once to each sender within my organization, enter your message.
  5. To turn replies off automatically, check the Send replies during this time period checkbox, and enter the start and end dates and times.
  6. To reply to external senders, check Send replies outside my organization and choose My Contacts only (recommended) or All external senders.
  7. Select OK to save.

Sample Out-of-Office Reply

Subject: Out of Office
Hello,
I’m currently out of the office and will return on [Return Date]. I will have limited access to email during this time.
For urgent matters, please contact [Alternate Contact Name] at [Alternate Contact Email/Phone Number].
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Sources:
Send automatic replies (out of office) from Outlook
Send automatic out of office replies from Outlook.com or Outlook on the web
Send automatic Out of Office replies from Outlook for Mac

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