Automatic replies (formerly Out of office assistant)

Let people who send you email messages know when you're not available by setting up automatic replies in Outlook Web App.

This article shows you how to set up automatic replies in Outlook Web App. Use automatic replies whenever you want to let people who send you email know that you won't be responding to their messages right away. After automatic replies are turned on, they'll be sent once to each sender.

If you have a Microsoft Exchange-based email account, for example, a Microsoft Office 365 work or school account, and you use Outlook and Outlook Web App, you can use either one to manage your automatic replies. For information about how to set up automatic replies in Outlook, see Send automatic out of office replies from Outlook.

Set up an automatic reply

You can turn on or modify automatic replies.

1. In a web browser, sign in to Outlook Web App using the URL provided by the person who manages email for your organization. Enter your user name and password, then click Sign in.

2. On the nav bar, choose Outlook (or Mail).

   Or

   Choose App launcher > Outlook.

   

3. On the nav bar, choose Settings > Set automatic replies.

   Or

   On the nav bar, choose Settings > Options > Automatic replies.

Use the following information to help you set up your automatic reply.

Setting	Description
Don't send automatic replies	Select this option to turn off automatic replies.
Send automatic replies	Select this option to turn on automatic replies.
Send replies only during this time period	Select this check box, and then set a start time and end time to control when automatic replies are sent. If you don't set a time period, your automatic reply remains on until you turn it off. And you're reminded you automatic replies are turned on each time you sign in to your mailbox.
Send a reply once to each sender inside my organization with the following message	Use the text box to create a message that is sent only to senders who are inside your organization. This option may not be available.
Send automatic reply messages to senders outside my organization	Select this check box if you want automatic replies to be sent to senders outside your organization. If you select the check box to send automatic replies to persons outside your organization, two other options are made available. Choose one of the following: Send replies only to senders in my Contacts list Select this to limit automatic replies to senders who are in your Contacts folder. Senders who aren't in your Contacts folder won't receive the automatic reply. Send replies to all external senders Select this to send your reply to all senders outside your organization.
Send a reply once to each sender outside my organization with the following message	If you select Send replies to all external senders, in the text box type the reply message you want sent.

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