Setting up Automatic Replies on Outlook 2013, 2016, and OWA

Overview

Steps

Determine whether you are using Outlook 2013/2016 or the Outlook Web App (OWA) and follow the steps in the appropriate section.

Outlook 2013/2016

Setting up automatic replies for Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016 require the same steps. Colors and screenshots may vary depending on which version is being used.

Step 1. Click File, and then, click on the Automatic Replies button.

Step 2. In the Automatic Replies box, select Send automatic replies. You may choose to set a date range for the auto replies to be sent out by checking  the "Only send during this time range" checkbox. If you do not set a date range, you will need to turn off automatic replies manually.

Step 3. On the Inside My Organization tab, type the response you want to send out to Moraine Valley colleagues (anyone with an @morainevalley.edu address) while you are out of office. To provide as much clarity and consistency as possible, all faculty and staff can use the below message on their Moraine Valley email account:

Please be aware that all personnel have moved to a remote work environment and all college buildings are closed. Thank you for your patience as we adjust our operations. I will reply as soon as possible.

Step 4. OPTIONAL: On the Outside My Organization tab, type the response you want to send out to any person who emails you that does not have an @morainevalley.edu email address. Please note that if auto replies are set for people outside your organization, auto-replies replies will be sent to newsletters and advertisments. To enable Outside My Organization automatic replies, check the "Auto-reply to people outside my organization" checkbox.

Step 4a. If "Auto-reply to people outside my organization" is checked, choose whether you would like to send replies to "My Contacts only" or "Anyone outside my organization."

Step 5. Click OK to save your settings.

If you did not set a date range, you will need to turn off automatic replies whenever you are ready. To turn off automatic replies, you'll see a message whenever you are in Outlook. The message is under the ribbon and will say "Automatic Replies are being sent for this account." Click "Turn off" to disable out-of-office replies. 

Outlook Web App (OWA)

Step 1. Access Webmail through email.morainevalley.edu

Step 2. At the top of the page (to the right of your name), click Settings > Set automatic replies.

Step 3. Click the Send automatic replies radio button. You may choose to set a date range for the auto replies to be sent out by checking the "Send replies only durig this time period" checkbox. If you do not set a date range, you will need to turn off automatic replies manually.

Step 4. Type your auto reply that you want to send out to Moraine Valley colleagues (anyone with an @morainevalley.edu address) while you are out of office. To provide as much clarity and consistency as possible, all faculty and staff can use the below message on their Moraine Valley email account:

Please be aware that all personnel have moved to a remote work environment and all college buildings are closed. Thank you for your patience as we adjust our operations. I will reply as soon as possible.

Step 5. OPTIONAL: Check the Send automatic reply messages to senders outside my organization. Type the response you want to send out to any person who emails you that does not have an @morainevalley.edu email address. Please note that if auto replies are set for people outside your organization, auto-replies replies will be sent to newsletters and advertisments.

Step 5a. If "Send automatic reply messages to senders outside my organization" is checked, choose whether you would like to send replies to "senders in my Contacts list" or "all external senders."

Step 6. Click Save to save your settings.

Additional Resources

For more information, please contact the Help Desk at (708) 608-4357.