How to set an 'Out of Office' reply on Microsoft Outlook when you'll be unreachable by email

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How to set an 'Out of Office' reply on Microsoft Outlook when you'll be unreachable by email
Outlook's out of office replies automatically respond to emailers while you're away.Absodels/Getty Images
  • You can set the out of office reply feature in Microsoft Outlook when you'll be away from your email and want to alert people to your absence.
  • Outlook allows you to write a custom out of office message in addition to other reply settings.
  • You can set the out of office feature through your Outlook settings under "Automatic Replies."
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If you use Microsoft Outlook for work on your computer or even the mobile app but are going to be out of the office for some time, setting up automatic email replies is an option. These allow you to notify people who try to contact you when, why, and even for how long you'll be out.

If you want to make it easier on those emailing you to know communication will be delayed and who to contact while you're away, setting up automatic replies is the way to go. Automated responses will remain on until the end of your specified "out of office" period. If you chose not to determine a period, automatic replies would be on indefinitely until you turn them off.

Here's how to set up your out of office reply in Outlook.

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How to set an out of office reply in Outlook

1. Click on the gear icon located in the upper right corner of your Outlook inbox.

2. Select "View all Outlook settings."

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How to set an 'Out of Office' reply on Microsoft Outlook when you'll be unreachable by email
This will be a link separate from the scrollable settings.Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

3. Choose "Automatic replies."

4. Click on the black and white slider next to "Turn on automatic replies."

How to set an 'Out of Office' reply on Microsoft Outlook when you'll be unreachable by email
When you toggle this on, the slider will turn blue.Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

5. Select the boxes next to the settings you want to enable for your automatic replies.

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6. Type an "out of office" message of your choice.

How to set an 'Out of Office' reply on Microsoft Outlook when you'll be unreachable by email
Checking boxes will help you narrow when and how your out of office messages appear.Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

7. Click "Save."

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