Microsoft 365
Set an out-of-office reply
Set automatic replies with dates, and write one that's actually useful.
Last reviewed 20 August 2026
In Outlook (desktop)
- 1File > Automatic Replies.
- 2Select 'Send automatic replies' and tick 'Only send during this time range'.
- 3Set your start and end date and time.
- 4Write your internal message on the first tab, and your external one on the second.
- 5Tick 'Outside My Organisation' and choose 'Anyone outside my organisation' if you want external senders to get a reply.
In Outlook on the web
Settings (the gear icon) > Mail > Automatic replies, then the same options.
What to include
- The date you're back.
- Whether you'll be reading email at all.
- A named colleague and their email address for anything urgent.
Avoid saying you're abroad or that the office is empty. It's more information than a stranger needs, and it's used in invoice fraud.
Still stuck?
Log it with the helpdesk and a real engineer will pick it up — or book a call if you'd rather talk it through.