Overview
Follow this guide to set up an automatic reply in Outlook for times when you will be unavailable to answer emails. 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
If you want to set up an automatic reply for a shared org account rather than for your own USC account, refer instead to Creating an autoreply for a shared org account in Outlook. You will need delegate access to the org account.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook for Windows
Quick guide
- In the top menu, click File.
- Click Automatic Replies.
- Select Send automatic replies.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Only send during this time range and fill out the fields.
- Type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, click the Outside my Organization tab. Select the checkbox Auto-reply to people outside my organization and fill out the fields.
- Click OK.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- In the top menu, click File.
- Click Automatic Replies.
- Select Send automatic replies.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Only send during this time range and fill out the fields.
- Type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, click the Outside my Organization tab. Select the checkbox Auto-reply to people outside my organization and fill out the fields.
- Click OK.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook for Mac
Whether you have New Outlook or the older version, creating an autoreply in Outlook for Mac looks fairly similar:
Quick guide
- In the top menu, click Tools > Automatic Replies…
- Select the checkbox Send automatic replies and type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Send automatic replies only during this time period and fill out the fields.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies outside my organization and fill out the fields.
- Click OK.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- In the top menu, click Tools and select Automatic Replies… from the dropdown.
- Select the checkbox Send automatic replies and type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Send automatic replies only during this time period and fill out the fields.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, select the checkbox Send replies outside my organization and fill out the fields.
- Click OK.
Creating an autoreply in Outlook 365/OWA (online)
Quick guide
- Log in at https://usc.edu/office365.
- In the top right corner, click the Gear icon.
- Click View all Outlook settings.
- Go to Mail > Automatic replies.
- Select the toggle Turn on automatic replies.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Send replies only during a time period and fill out the fields. You can also select any of the other checkboxes if applicable.
- Type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, scroll down and select the checkbox Send replies to people outside your organization and fill out the fields.
- Click Save.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Log in at https://usc.edu/office365.
- In the top right corner, click the Gear icon.
- Click View all Outlook settings.
- Go to Mail > Automatic replies.
- Select the toggle Turn on automatic replies.
- (optional) To set a time period, select the checkbox Send replies only during a time period and fill out the fields. You can also select any of the other checkboxes if applicable.
- Type your message. This message will be autosent to anyone within USC.
- (optional) To send autoreplies to people outside USC, scroll down and select the checkbox Send replies to people outside your organization and fill out the fields.
- Click Save.
A note about autoreplies and leaving USC
If you are creating an autoreply because you are separating from USC, your autoreply will be in place until your Microsoft account is deactivated. This typically is within one year of your separation date.