{"id":2751,"date":"2026-09-11T09:26:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T23:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dynamicwebtraining.com.au\/blog\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2026-09-11T09:26:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T23:26:36","slug":"out-of-office-in-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dynamicwebtraining.com.au\/blog\/out-of-office-in-outlook","title":{"rendered":"How to Set Up an Out of Office in Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To set an out of office in Outlook, open Automatic Replies: in new Outlook or on the web go to Settings > Accounts > Automatic replies; in classic Outlook go to File > Automatic Replies. Turn it on, set a start and end time, type your message, and save. Automatic Replies works on Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

An out of office (or \u201cautomatic reply\u201d) tells people you\u2019re away and when you\u2019ll be back, without you lifting a finger while you\u2019re gone. The exact steps depend on which version of Outlook you use, so this guide covers new Outlook, classic Outlook, the web and mobile, plus what to do if your account doesn\u2019t have the feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is an out of office (automatic reply) in Outlook?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An automatic reply is a message Outlook sends on your behalf to people who email you while you\u2019re away. You can set a start and end time so it switches on and off automatically, and you can send a different message to people inside your organisation versus external senders. The feature is called Automatic Replies<\/strong>, and it needs a Microsoft 365 or Exchange account<\/strong> (most work accounts have this).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you set an out of office in new Outlook (and on the web)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web use the same steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Click the Settings<\/strong> gear (top right).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Go to Accounts > Automatic replies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Turn Automatic replies on<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Tick Send replies only during a time period<\/strong> and set a start and end<\/strong> date\/time (recommended, so it turns itself off).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Type your message in the box.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. To reply to external senders too, tick Send replies outside your organisation<\/strong> and type a message for them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Click Save<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How do you set an out of office in classic Outlook?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In classic Outlook for Windows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Go to File<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Click Automatic Replies (Out of Office)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Select Send automatic replies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Tick Only send during this time range<\/strong> and set the start and end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. On the Inside My Organization<\/strong> tab, type the message colleagues will see.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. On the Outside My Organization<\/strong> tab, optionally enable and write a message for external senders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      How do you set an out of office on the Outlook mobile app?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In the Outlook app for iPhone or Android: tap your profile\/account icon<\/strong>, then the Settings<\/strong> gear, choose your account, and tap Automatic Replies<\/strong>. Turn it on, choose whether to reply to everyone or your organisation only, type your message, and save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How do you set an out of office if you don\u2019t have a Microsoft 365\/Exchange account?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Personal accounts (Gmail, Outlook.com or other IMAP\/POP accounts) don\u2019t have the Automatic Replies feature in Outlook. You have two options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n