The ability to use VBA to control Outlook's rules was added to Outlook 2007. For this reason, this macro will not work with Outlook 2003 or older.
In the enable and disable macro, replace "Your Rule Name" with the name of the rule you want to enable and disable.
Set olRule = olRules.Item("Your Rule Name")
To use: Create a task with the subject "Disable Rule" and set the reminder time for the time you want the rule to be disabled. Create a second task with the subject "Enable Rule" with the reminder time set for the time you want it enabled.
This, of course, only works if Outlook is running. It is not possible to enable and disable rules when Outlook is closed.
VBA code sample to enable or disable rules
Use Alt+F11 to open the VBA Editor and place this code in ThisOutlookSession.
If you prefer to use Appointments instead of Tasks, replace IPM.Task with IPM.Appointment. If you are using recurring events to turn the rule off and on, an appointment might be better as the reminder is less likely to be accidentally disabled.
Private Sub Application_Reminder(ByVal Item As Object)
If Item.MessageClass <> "IPM.Task" Then
Exit Sub
End If
If Item.Subject = "Enable Rule" Then
Enable_Run_Rule
End If
If Item.Subject = "Disable Rule" Then
Disable_Run_Rule
End If
End Sub
' Macro to enable a rule
Sub Enable_Run_Rule()
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("Your Rule Name")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
' Macro to disable a rule
Sub Disable_Run_Rule()
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("Your Rule Name")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Use with multiple rules
To apply this to multiple rules, assign categories called Enable Rule or Disable Rule to a task and use the rule name as the task subject. Use an If... then statement in the VBA to check for the category and pass the rule name to a function.
In the following code, I condensed it to one function that gets the rule name and whether the rule should be enabled or disabled, passing both values to the function.
Private Sub Application_Reminder(ByVal Item As Object)
Dim strRule As String
If Item.MessageClass <> "IPM.Task" Then
Exit Sub
End If
strRule = Item.Subject
If Item.Categories = "Enable Rule" Then
Run_Rule strRule, 1
End If
If Item.Categories = "Disable Rule" Then
Run_Rule strRule, 0
End If
End Sub
Function Run_Rule(rule_name As String, tf As Boolean) As Boolean
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item(rule_name)
olRule.Enabled = tf
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Function
Toggle the rule on or off
If you want to use one macro and toggle the rule on or off, you can change olRule.Enabled = True to
If olRule.Enabled = True then
olRule.Enabled = False
Else
olRule.Enabled = True
More Information
Enable / Disable rules code sample from Outlook Code.com
Run Rules Now using a Macro
VBA to Sort Rules [A-Z] - code provided
Jane Wilkinson says
A total newbie. I have done what you say at the start but I am confused as to how the marco will know what rule to run if I apply it to multiple reminders. Also once I have created the macro what do I do then?
Binu Mathew says
Thank you very much
Marius says
Hi, sorry for asking a newbie question. I have entererd your macro 1:1 in my outlook 2019. The macro doesnt start either. If i start it in the VBA editor there is a error missing object. How can i solve this problem?
Thanks and regards Marius
Darin says
hi! I'm a beginner :) but was looking to try and create a macro that would turn on or off a specific rule based on my input (I would then assign that Macro to a toolbar in the ribbon) Anyone created that previously per chance?
Diane Poremsky says
Do you want to call the macro from a button? The macros named Sub Enable_Run_Rule() and Sub Disable_Run_Rule() that are part of the reminder macro can be run manually.
Vidar says
Hello! I know this is an old post, but I hope someone can help me out anyway.
I have created the following:
- a rule called "TEST-OOO"
- the Enable and Disable appontments with reminders
- the VBA, changing "Your Rule Name" to "TEST-OOO" and replacing IPM.Task with IPM.Appointment
The Enable reminder shows at the time set, but the rule is not enabled.
What have I misunderstood? Do I need to do something else?
Diane Poremsky says
To the best of my recollection, that should work. What version and build of Outlook? I know Outlook 2016 tightened some security around rules but i didn't think it affected this.
Add some MsgBox at various points to see if they come up, starting with the enable and disable functions. Add a message box in the Enable_Run_Rule and disable subs too - somewhere near the top.
If Item.Subject = "Enable Rule" Then
MsgBox "Enable Rule fired"
Enable_Run_Rule
end if
Diane Poremsky says
I just tested it here in Outlook 2016, it is working.
Vidar says
Dear Diane,
I tried to write you an answer, but I believe the message got "hung" somewhere...
Thank you for your prompt reply, it was very helpful. I was using Outlook 2010 and couldn't get it to work. But when I switched to a computer with Outlook 2016 it worked like a charm :)
But I encountered another "challenge" that you can possibly assist with.
For the auto reply rule I used the "reply using a specific template" option. This apparently only sends out the auto reply once for each sender. I would very much like it to send the auto reply every time for every sender, regardless of how many emails i receive from the sender.
Is is possible to achieve this somehow?
Thank you for your assistance, it is highly appreciated :)
Regards, Vidar
Diane Poremsky says
It's 'hung' in the moderation queue - i leave everything there until i have time to reply, as it makes it easier to find the messages that need answered.
Reply with template is one per sender until outlook is restarted. if you use a run a script macro to send the template, it will reply to all messages from the sender.
https://www.slipstick.com/developer/run-a-script-rule-autoreply-using-a-template/
Diane Poremsky says
Oh, did you put it in thisoutlooksession? Because its triggered automatically, it needs to be in thisoutlooksession, not a module. Also, i'm assuming you set macro security to low for testing?
Vidar says
Dear Diane,
First of all, thank you for this nice solution. It has really helped me a lot!
Most of the time the Outlook rule gets enabled/disabled as it should. However, it happens from time to time that the rule is NOT enabled/disabled.
I don't know the reason for this, but I would like to not having to check this manually twice a day.
Is there a way to have Outlook send me an email every time the rule is actually enabled/disabled, just to let me know everything is as it should be?
Thank you for all your assistance, it is much appreciated :)
Regards, Vidar
Diane Poremsky says
Sure. Use the macro at https://www.slipstick.com/developer/create-a-new-message-using-vba/ - removing the fields you don't need. You can use the macro with both enable/disable. Change .display to .send. You can call the macro after rule is changed.
If Item.Subject = "Disable Rule" Then
Disable_Run_Rule
End If
CreateNewMessage
End Sub
Or put this at the end, instead of the macro name:
Dim objMsg As MailItemSet objMsg = Application.CreateItem(olMailItem)
With objMsg
.To = "Alias@domain.com"
.Subject = item.subject
.Body= item.subject
.Send
End With
Set objMsg = Nothing
This will only tell you if the macro ran - it doesn't confirm the change was made.
It will be possible to get the status after the it runs, so you know if the macro worked. Something like this, but i didn't test it so it might not be quite right. Basically, we want to get the status if the rule, on or off and put the value in the body. It will either be a 1 or 0. Use it with the first example.
Public Sub CreateNewMessage()Dim objMsg As MailItem
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("Your Rule Name")
Set objMsg = Application.CreateItem(olMailItem)
With objMsg
.To = "Alias@domain.com"
.Subject = "Your Rule Name"
.Body = olRule.Enabled
.Send
End With
Set objMsg = Nothing
End Sub
Dean says
Hi,
I'm looking to implement this as a button on a toolbar. While i can create a toolbar, can you help get a link between the macro and a button?
thanks
Diane Poremsky says
What version of outlook? In 2010 and 2013 you select the macro in the customize ribbon dialog. In 2007, you add the macro to the QAT. In older versions you customize the toolbar and add the macro to it.
Jacob Mabb says
On exchange 2007, I used 2 powershell scheduled tasks (One to enable, one to disable). The powershell scheduled tasks must be run as the mailbox user, however, this does NOT require the user to be logged into the machine or outlook to be running. It launches outlook for that user at the time of the scheduled task and enables/disables the rule.
#Enable Rule Script
$ol = New-Object -ComObject Outlook.Application
$ol.visible = $true
$namespace = $ol.GetNamespace("MAPI")
$inbox = $namespace.GetDefaultFolder([Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.OlDefaultFolders]::olFolderInbox)
$rules = $namespace.DefaultStore.GetRules()
$rule = $rules | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "" }
$rule.Enabled = $True
$rules.Save()
#Disable Rule Script
$ol = New-Object -ComObject Outlook.Application
$ol.visible = $true
$namespace = $ol.GetNamespace("MAPI")
$inbox = $namespace.GetDefaultFolder([Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.OlDefaultFolders]::olFolderInbox)
$rules = $namespace.DefaultStore.GetRules()
$rule = $rules | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "" }
$rule.Enabled = $False
$rules.Save()
Jacob Mabb says
$rule = $rules | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "" }
You must put the name of the rule between these double-quotes.
Christopher says
The rules work individually but not the appointment one. regards the "schema_" I try to use it when I receive a notice that I've got an appointment
Christopher says
It doesn't work, I've attached all code below.
"
Sub Disable_Run_Rule_SOA(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("SOA")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Enable_Run_Rule_SOA(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("SOA")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessNewPin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessNewPin")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessChangePin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessChangePin")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessChangePin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessChangePin")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessCheckChannels(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessCheckChannels")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessCheckChannels(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessCheckChannels")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessNewPin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessNewPin")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessPermanentLogin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessPermanentLogin")
olRule.Enabled = False
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessPermanentLogin(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("WebAccessPermanentLogin")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
End Sub
Sub Schema_SOA(ByVal Item As Object)
If Item.MessageClass "IPM.Appointment" Then
Exit Sub
End If
If Item.Subject = "Enable Rule SOA" Then
Enable_Run_Rule_SOA
End If
If Item.Subject = "Disable Rule" Then
Disable_Run_Rule_SOA
End If
End Sub
Sub Schema_SIGNICAT(ByVal Item As Object)
If Item.MessageClass "IPM.Appointment" Then
Exit Sub
End If
If Item.Subject = "Enable Rule SIGNICAT" Then
Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessNewPin
Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessChangePin
Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessCheckChannels
Enable_Run_Rule_WebAccessPermanentLogin
End If
If Item.Subject = "Disable Rule SIGNICAT" Then
Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessNewPin
Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessChangePin
Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessCheckChannels
Disable_Run_Rule_WebAccessPermanentLogin
End If
End Sub
"
In Desperate times...
Diane Poremsky says
Do the rules work individually?
comment out the subject and replace with
Sub Test_rule()
Dim Item As Outlook.MailItem
Test the enable and disable rules.
How are you calling the two schema_ macros?
Christopher says
I trigger the rules by incoming e-mails and yes they work on their own.
You are correct I've changed the names. but when I compile It shows error on the "Enable_Run_Rule_SOA"
Diane Poremsky says
Does it give you any error codes? AS long as you renamed the disable macro to match, it should work.
Christopher says
Compile error: Argument not optional
Diane Poremsky says
That often means a typo - word's curly "smart" quotes instead of straight quotes, 2 single quotes instead of a double... something small and easy to overlook. The code you posted looks fine. If the enable macro looks like it does on the webpage, it should work
Christopher says
Hi Diane!
I can't seem to get the script to work. I've changed some names in order to keep track of what rules it applies. Please have a look
Private Sub Schema_SOA(ByVal Item As Object)
If Item.MessageClass <> "IPM.Appointment" Then
Exit Sub
End If
If Item.Subject = "Enable Rule SOA" Then
Enable_Run_Rule_SOA
End If
If Item.Subject = "Disable Rule" Then
Disable_Run_Rule_SOA
End If
End Sub
Diane Poremsky says
If you run the Sub Enable_Run_Rule_SOA() or Sub Disable_Run_Rule_SOA() by clicking the Run button, do they work? (I'm assuming you renamed Enable_Run_Rule and Disable_Run_Rule and entered the rule name in the enable and disable macros. )
Raman Deep Singh says
Hi, I have outlook 2007. I need a script to run two minutes after I start outlook so that the mailbox has received all new mails. The script
scans for a particular mail and if it hasnt arrived triggers a reminder
or a task(someway to alert the user) and keeps reminding him every hour
until the mail arrives. When the mail arrives, this task or reminder should be disabled or deleted.
Can you give me some leads for this.
Also can you tell me is it possible to run a script when a particular task fires.just as we can "run a script" if a particular mail arrives by using rules and alerts.
Diane Poremsky says
Hmm. I thought I answered this last week. :( You can run macros when a reminder fires. Scanning for an email is harder but doable as sperry software and others have addins that can look for sent mail that needs followed up. I don't have any code sample, but it would be fairly complicated - sperry's addin may be a more cost effective option over writing something.
Alejandro says
Hello, I have Outlook 2007 and do not appear in the list macros that might be missing.
Thank you! (from Argentina)
Diane Poremsky says
Macros with something in the () - like this: Private Sub Application_Reminder(ByVal Item As Object) are not listed in the macros you can run manually. They run automatically when something happens.
Tom Edwards says
Thanks Diane for your reply, perhaps I will just run Outlook on the PC 24/7 which probably wont be a problem.
So, if I want to look for a string within the body of an email and enable/disable a rule based on the string being present - will the above work for me? I cant seem to get it to appear on the scripts under the rules wizard.
Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
if you want to turn on a rule based on a message that was received, plug the enable/disable code into a run a script rule.
if possible, let the rule look for the keyword then call this script -
Sub DisableRule(Item As Outlook.MailItem)
Disable_Run_Rule
End Sub
You can either call the rule macro or put the rule code in the script.
Tom Edwards says
Hi Diane,
I would love to be able to disable/enable outlook rules based on the content of a received email. I'm running Outlook 2013, using an exchange account. I have a bunch of rules that redirect emails based on a time schedule. I would also like to be able to interrupt that schedule if required.
I need this to run on the server-side as Outlook won't actually be running 24/7, is there any way to achieve this?
Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
Outlook doesn't have anything built in that can do this. If you have exchange, Out of office has some rules capability and that may be enough to meet your needs. Its not automatic but in newer versions you can set it ahead of time - it will turn itself on and off. But you will need to keep setting the start time.
VBA is out because you can't run it on the server.
Dave mack says
What I really need is a macro to turn off the Out-Of-Office setting when I get back in the office. Like Office 2003 used to do and Office 2010 does not.
Diane Poremsky says
That is not possible with a macro is 2010 - the macros that turn OOF of and on need CDO. (Well, you could install CDO... but its not supported or recommended.)
Outlook 2010 has a feature that lets you schedule OOF, so it can turn OOF on and off automatically. It should work with at least Exchange 2007 and 2010. You need to set it up each time (you can't say 'every day at 5 pm till 8 am), but you can reschedule prior to needing it. It's too bad it's not exposed to the object model - that would be convenient.
Diane Poremsky says
One other thing - you can use an redemption - http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/RDOOutOfOfficeAssistant.htm
Dave Mack says
Seems pretty useless if it does not work when Outlook is closed. My company enforces everyone logging off every night before leaving.
Diane Poremsky says
Yeah, you'd need to run it before you log off. It would be possible to run it as Outlook is shutting down, or cobble something together with reminders to trigger the macro.
Esben Rasmussen says
Probably not the most elegant solution but here is what I did to get i working on another mailbox than my defailt (the applied rule is unique for that mailbox).
' Macro to enable a rule
Sub Enable_Run_Rule()
Dim olRules As Outlook.Rules
Dim olRule As Outlook.Rule
Dim intCount As Integer
Dim blnExecute As Boolean
Dim colStores As Outlook.Stores
Dim oStore As Outlook.Store
On Error Resume Next
Set colStores = Application.Session.Stores
For Each oStore In colStores
Set olRules = oStore.GetRules
Set olRule = olRules.Item("My rule")
olRule.Enabled = True
If blnExecute Then olRule.Execute ShowProgress:=True
olRules.Save
Set olRules = Nothing
Set olRule = Nothing
Next
End Sub
The macro to disable the rule is exactly the same - except "olRule.Enabled = False".
Diane Poremsky says
Cool, thanks for sharing. Some of my macros aren't the most elegant but they get the job done. :)
Esben Rasmussen says
Ok, just tried to use it but I get an error "The attempted operation failed. An object could not be found."
When debugging the line "Set olRule = olRules.Item("My rule")" is highlighted.
I suspect this is due to the fact that I have two mailboxes I monitor: Mailbox X (my default) and mailbox Y.
I created the needed rule for mailbox Y but seeing as the macro fails could it be that it only tries to use the rules defined for the default mailbox?
Diane Poremsky says
The macro is written for the rules in the default mailbox: Set olRules = Application.Session.DefaultStore.GetRules . That would need changed to apply to other stores.
Esben Rasmussen says
Awesome! This is just what I needed!
But just to be clear: Since it is based on the reminder, your Outlook doesn't have to be opened at the time the rule should be turned off?
E.g. if you set the reminder to 8 AM but you are late and Outlook is first started at 8.30 AM the reminder will still activate and therefore the rule will still be turned off - just later than planned?
Diane Poremsky says
Because it is reminder-based, Outlook must be open for this to work. But yes, if you open Outlook after the reminder was supposed to fire, the macro will run when the reminder fires after-the-fact.