Overview
Automatic email replies can be useful if, for example, you are going on vacation and need to let people know that any emails they send will not be seen until you return. Follow this guide to set up an automatic reply for your Outlook account. You can:
- Create an autoreply ahead of time for a specific time range
- Create an autoreply that takes effect immediately and is indefinite
Autoreplies and org accounts
To set up an automatic reply for a shared org account instead, refer to Creating an autoreply for a shared org account in Outlook.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook for Windows
Create an autoreply in New Outlook for Windows
Quick guide
- Click the Settings
icon (upper right).
- Select Automatic replies.
- Click Turn on automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Send replies only during a time period, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click Save.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Click the Settings icon (upper right).
- Select Automatic replies.
- Click Turn on automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Send replies only during a time period, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click Save.
Create an autoreply in Classic Outlook for Windows
Quick guide
- Click the File tab.
- Click Automatic Replies.
- Select Send automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Only send during this time range, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, click the Outside my Organization tab. Select the checkbox Auto-reply to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click OK.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Click the File tab.
- Click Automatic Replies.
- Select Send automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Only send during this time range, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, click the Outside my Organization tab. Select the checkbox Auto-reply to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click OK.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook for Mac
Quick guide
- In the menu bar, click Tools and select Automatic Replies.
- Select the Send Automatic Replies toggle.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To specify a time period for the autoreply:
- Click Set.
- Select the Time Period checkbox.
- Update the Start and End fields, and click Save.
- Type a message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Message for outside your organization, and type a message.
- Close the window. Your autoreply is now set.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- In the menu bar, click Tools and select Automatic Replies.
- Select the Send Automatic Replies toggle.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To specify a time period for the autoreply:
- Click Set.
- Select the Time Period checkbox.
- Update the Start and End fields, and click Save.
- Type a message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Message for outside your organization, and type a message.
- Close the window. Your autoreply is now set.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook 365/OWA (online)
Quick guide
- Go to https://usc.edu/office365.
- Click the Settings icon (upper right).
- Click Automatic replies.
- Select Turn on automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Only send during this time range, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click Save.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Go to https://usc.edu/office365.
- Click the Settings icon (upper right).
- Click Automatic replies.
- Select Turn on automatic replies.
- By default, the autoreply will be active indefinitely. To instead specify when automatic replies should be sent, select the checkbox Only send during this time range, and fill in the start and end times.
- Fill out your message. Anyone at USC who emails you will receive this autoreply.
- (Optional) To add an autoreply for people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies to people outside my organization, and fill out your message.
- Click Save.
A note about autoreplies and leaving USC
If you are creating an autoreply because you are separating from USC, your autoreply will remain active for up to one year following your separation date.