Setting up an out-of-office reply in the Outlook app is a convenient way to inform others when you’re unavailable. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up an out-of-office reply in Microsoft Outlook on Windows, Mac, and the mobile app.
Out of Office in Outlook on Windows
To set up an out-of-office reply in Outlook on Windows, start by opening Outlook and selecting the File tab. In the Info section, use the drop-down box at the top to select an account if you have more than one. Then, choose “”Automatic Replies.””
In the pop-up window, mark the Send Automatic Replies option at the top. To automatically send replies during a specific timeframe, check the box for Only Send During This Time Range. Enter the dates and times in the corresponding boxes. If you don’t mark this option, you can manually turn automatic replies off using the Do Not Send Automatic Replies setting at the top.
Enter your out-of-office message in the text box at the bottom. You can format the font style and size, as well as use bold, italics, color, and additional options. When you finish, click “”OK.””
Out of Office in Outlook on Mac
You can create an out-of-office reply in both the legacy and new versions of Outlook on Mac. In the legacy version, open Outlook, select your account on the left if you have more than one, and head to the Tools tab. Click “”Out of Office”” in the ribbon.
If you’re using the new version of Outlook, open the app and choose your account on the left if you have more than one. Select Tools > Automatic Replies in the menu bar. In the pop-up window, mark the option at the top to enable automatic replies. Enter the message you want to use for others inside your organization.
To send the reply during a timeframe, check the box for Send Replies Only During This Time Period and enter the start and end dates and times. If you don’t mark this option, you can turn off the replies manually by unchecking the box at the top. Check the box for Send Replies Outside My Organization if you want to use that option. Choose your contacts or all external senders and then enter your message. When you finish, click “”OK.””
Out of Office in Outlook Mobile App
Setting an out-of-office reply from the Outlook Mobile app is straightforward. This is especially useful if you forget to set your out-of-office message before leaving your desk. Here’s how you can set your out-of-office from the Outlook Mobile app:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select Settings by clicking on your user’s profile icon and selecting settings. |
| 2 | Choose a Mail Account. |
| 3 | Select Automatic Replies and turn it on. |
| 4 | Choose if you want to Reply to everyone or Reply only to my organization. If you Reply to everyone, choose if you want to Use different messages. |
| 5 | Select the check mark when you’re done. |
A Smooth Return to Your Inbox
Setting up an out-of-office reply in Outlook, whether on Windows, Mac, or the mobile app, ensures that your contacts are informed about your absence and know when to expect a response. If you use other email services, consider setting up similar automatic replies in Gmail or Apple Mail to cover all your bases. Now you know how to set out of office in the Outlook app, ensuring a smooth communication experience.