When you go on vacation for a few weeks, set an auto-reply out of office message so that anyone who contacts you knows you won’t be replying to them. An out of office message is also a good way to delegate your work to your colleagues, who will be looking after your charge while you are on leave. Providing their contact details ensures you don’t have dozens of emails waiting for you when you return to work.
Microsoft Outlook lets you set an out of office message via its web client, desktop, and mobile apps. So whether you use a Windows or Mac desktop, one of thetop Chromebooks, or an Android or iPhone, you may set an Outlook out of message with ease. Here’s how to set up an out of office reply in Outlook.
How to set up an out of office reply using the Outlook web app
The most comfortable way to set up an out of office reply on Outlook is by using its web app. No matter whether you are using a Mac, Windows PC, or Chromebook, you can use this method to auto reply to incoming emails when you are on leave.
Now, anyone who emails you will receive the automatic reply you set.
If the option for Automatic Replies is not visible, you are likely using a Gmail, Yahoo, or other POP or IMAP account that does not have this feature.
How to set up an out of office message in Outlook on Windows
If you prefer the Outlook desktop app instead of the web app, use the steps below to accomplish your task on Windows desktops. Note the Outlook version you use before following the steps below. We mention the steps for Outlook (Outlook 2016, Outlook 365, and Outlook 2019) and the Outlook app below. Follow the steps corresponding to the Outlook version you run on your device.
Turn on the out of office reply in Outlook
Turn on the out of office reply in the Outlook app on Windows
How to turn on an Outlook out of office message on a Mac
The Mac Outlook app behaves differently from its Windows counterpart. Here are the steps to turn on an out of office messages in Outlook on Mac.
How to turn on an out of office message in Outlook on Android
If you forgot to turn on the out of office message in Outlook while at the office, you can do it using its Android or iOS app. The steps to turn on this feature are the same on Android and iPhone, so you can follow them to turn on an out of office reply irrespective of the mobile device you use.
You don’t get to choose different out of office messages for people outside your organization. It means anyone emailing you receives the same auto-reply, regardless of whether they work in your organization or not.
Enjoy a care-free vacation with the Outlook auto-reply feature
If your work involves dealing with emails, the Outlook auto-reply is a must-have feature that you should use to keep everyone appraised of your situation. It ensures everyone is in the loop and allows you to direct your email counterparts to people who will handle their requests in your absence. That’s it for this guide. But before you go, check out our guide onadding Grammarly to Outlook, which helps you send better emails.
