Questions
- How do I set an out of office reply in Outlook on the web?
- How do I turn on automatic replies while I am away?
- How do I set a start and end date for my out of office message?
- How do I send a different automatic reply to people outside Bowdoin?
- How do I turn off my out of office reply?
- How do I set a vacation message on my Bowdoin email?
Environment
This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff using Outlook on the web (also called Outlook Online) with a Bowdoin account. An out of office reply, also called an automatic reply, tells people who email the account that a response may be delayed.
Resolution
Turn on out of office replies
- Go to
outlook.office.com and sign in with your Bowdoin username and password.
- Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner, type
automatic in the search bar, then select Automatic replies.
- Select the switch to turn on Automatic replies. To limit the replies to a specific time frame, check Send replies only during a time period and set the start and end dates.
- Enter the out of office message in the text box, using the toolbar for formatting.
- Select Save to activate the out of office replies.
Tip: If the out of office reply is set to expire automatically on a date, it does not need to be turned off manually.
Send automatic replies to senders outside Bowdoin
- In the same Automatic replies settings, check Send replies outside your organization, then choose whether to reply only to senders in the Contacts list or to all external senders.
- Enter the message for external senders in the text box provided, using the toolbar for formatting.
- Select Save to apply the settings.
Turn off out of office replies
- Go to
outlook.office.com and sign in with your Bowdoin username and password.
- Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner, then open Automatic replies.
- Select the switch to turn off Automatic replies.
- Select Save to turn off the automatic replies.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.