The Rules Wizard for Microsoft Outlook automatically processes both incoming and outgoing messages. You set conditions similar to those used for Microsoft Outlook filters, then indicate what action(s) you want to be performed on messages that meet those conditions.
Rules in the Rules Wizard apply to only to mail at the time its downloaded. They can be applied to mail after its downloaded using the Run Rules Now command.
For Microsoft Exchange Server users, Rules Wizard automatically converts rules created with the Inbox Assistant feature (which Rules Wizard replaces). Exchange Server users also have an Out of Office Assistant for handling such things as vacation notices and Folder Assistant rules that run on public folders. See Server-based vs. client-based rules.
Filters are used with Search folders, Custom Views, and Advanced Find. Filters are used with Outlook items in the data file and show or hide but do not move items. You can apply filters to any Outlook item type, not just email. Filters can show, hide, or highlight items in different colors based on a variety of conditions and criteria.
Although Outlook does not support locking views against changes, you can lock view in Outlook 2010 using VBA. See How to prevent changes to Outlook views for a code sample.
To Make Automatic Reply Rules
Using Microsoft Outlook, you can create rules to reply automatically to incoming messages with the Rules Wizard and Out of Office Assistant.
Filter mail when you are not the only recipient
A user wanted "a rule that will perform an action if I am the only one in the To box, even when there are others in the CC box". He also asked for a rule "that will perform an action if I am included in the To box but am not the only one in the To box".
Outlook's Rules and Alerts: Run a Script
How to use Outlook's Rules Wizard Run a Script action to process messages using VBA. Using Run a Script rules will allow you to use actions not available in the Rules Wizard.
Send a New Message when a Message Arrives
How to use a Run a Script rule to have Microsoft Outlook automatically send a new email message using a template to new email addresses when a message meeting specific conditions arrives.
Creating an AND rule in Outlook Rules
A user wanted to know how to create an AND rule: If the subject contains outlook AND word, do something For example: "outlook AND word" to match on a Subject line of "Mail merge Outlook and Word", but not "Outlook Teams Meeting" While Outlook Rules don't support AND within a rule, you can make it
Run a Script Rule: Forwarding Messages
An Outlook user asked how to automatically change the subject of a message and forward it to another address. Using a "run a script" rule is one option and we show you how to do it.
Using Rules Wizard
The Rules Wizard for Microsoft Outlook automatically processes both incoming and outgoing messages. You set conditions similar to those used for Microsoft Outlook filters, then indicate what action(s) you want to be performed on messages that meet those conditions. Rules in the Rules Wizard apply to only to mail at the time its downloaded. They
'Have server reply' rule is not using 'reply-to' address
The question came from an Outlook user: We want to use a "Have server reply rule" to send an automated reply to people who send us a message using our web form. When the rule runs, Outlook is replying to the From address (our web server), not the Reply to address (the person who filled
Create a custom view to list upcoming birthdays
Display only the birthdays that occur in the upcoming months, by creating a custom view in Outlook's Calendar.
Run-a-Script Rules Missing in Outlook
Office 2016 and Outlook 2013 users who use a run-a-script rules to be aware that the scripts are currently disabled.
How to Change the Font used for Outlook's RSS Feeds
If you don't care for Calibri font as the default for RSS feeds, you need to use a macro to change the font (on font size) as the font cannot be changed by the user. We have code samples for both Outlook 2010 and 2007.
Mark Sent Items as Read After Copying with a Rule
When you use rules to move sent messages, the sent items are not marked read when they are copied to other folders. You need to VBA to mark the messages read.
Understanding the Safe and Blocked Senders lists
Understanding and using Outlook's Junk Mail Safe Sender, Safe Recipient, and Blocked sender's lists.
View Read Receipt Request Indicator
All current versions of Outlook include a Read Receipt field, including Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016/2019/365. To see the Read Receipt indicator, you need to customize the view by adding the Receipt Requested field. For best results, you will need to use the Single Line view to see the read request field. To add the field
Run all Outlook Rules on Startup
Use an Application Startup macro to run Outlook's client side rules automatically.