Microsoft Outlook: How to Create, Turn On, and Run a Rule

Body

A rule is an action that Outlook runs automatically on incoming or outgoing messages. You choose what triggers the rule as well as the actions the rule takes. By using rules, you can reduce manual and repetitive actions needed to manage your email messages. When you turn rules on, they run continuously and automatically. 

This knowledge article demonstrates how to create, turn on, and run a rule.


Note: A quick way to create a rule is to first select the message for which you wish to create a rule.

Step 1

Select a message, click Rules on the Home ribbon, and then Create Rule.... Outlook automatically suggests creating a rule based on the sender and the recipients of a message. 

Title: Microsoft Outlook; Description: image of the Rules options

Step 2

Choose a condition then select an action. To move an item to a folder, click Select Folder..., choose the desired folder OR click New... to create a new folder.  When finished, click OK then click OK again.

Title: Microsoft Outlook; Description: image of Create Rule & Rules and Alerts dialogs

Step 3

Select the "Rule this rule now on messages already in the current folder" check box then click OK.

Title: Microsoft Outlook; Description: image of the Success dialog

The newly-created rule will then run.

Details

Details

Article ID: 72898
Created
Fri 3/1/19 3:05 PM
Modified
Thu 3/31/22 1:30 PM