Create an email message Suggested recipients Add attachments Out of office replies Delay or schedule Recall a message Automatic forwarding Save a file or draft Open or save attachment Open .eml, .msg, and .oft files Create a folder Move or copy an item Change folder order Recover deleted items Manage messages with rules Stop processing rules Auto forward messages Import or export rules Troubleshoot broken rules Use conditional formatting Create a signature Assign color categories Automate with Quick Steps Change default font Change message list display Use Focused Inbox View as conversations Filter and sort messages Show number of messages Outlook Newsletters Create a newsletter Create an edition or template Format an edition Preview and Publish Edit, Move, or Restore Subscribers and Subscriptions Chat with recipients Status in Outlook Phishing and suspicious behavior Blocked senders About protected messages Send an encrypted message Open a protected message Apply sensitivity labels Calendar, People and more Use rules to automatically perform specific actions on email that arrives in your inbox. For example, you can create rules that will change the importance level of messages as they come in, automatically move them to other folders, or delete them based on certain criteria. Select a tab option below for the version of Outlook you're using. What version of Outlook do I have? Classic Outlook Outlook on the web If the steps under this New Outlook tab don't work, you may not be using new Outlook for Windows yet. Select the Classic Outlook tab and follow those steps instead. Currently, new Outlook does not support rules for managing third-party accounts like Gmail, Yahoo, and iCloud. To set up rules for these accounts, please configure them through the respective email service providers. In new Outlook, you have the option to: Create a rule | Edit a rule | Delete a rule | Set rule order | Run rules | Disable rules Create an inbox rule for new Outlook for Windows Rules are applied to incoming messages and can be created from any folder. To quickly create a rule that moves all email from a specific sender or a set of senders to a folder, right-click a message in your message list that you want to create a rule for, hover over Rules and then select Create rule . Choose the folder where you want all messages from that sender or set of senders to be moved, and then select OK . After selecting OK , the rule will be applied to all incoming messages. If you'd like to do more than just move the message from a specific sender or set of senders to a folder, select More options . The rules settings menu will open. Every rule needs at least three things: a name, a condition, and an action. Rules can also contain exceptions to conditions. You can add multiple conditions, actions, and exceptions at each step by choosing Add a condition , Add an action , and Add an exception . Tip With a work or school account, you can also enable notifications for when an email is moved to a different folder using rules. Every rule needs at least three things: a name, a condition, and an action. Rules can also contain exceptions to conditions. You can add multiple conditions, actions, and exceptions at each step by choosing Add a condition , Add an action , and Add an exception . With a work or school account, you can also enable notifications for when an email is moved to a different folder using rules. If you don't want any more rules to run after this one does, select the Stop processing more rules check box. For more information, see Stop processing more rules in Outlook . If you don't want any more rules to run after this one does, select the Stop processing more rules check box. For more information, see Stop processing more rules in Outlook . Press Save to create your rule or Discard to cancel rule creation. Press Save to create your rule or Discard to cancel rule creation. Edit an inbox rule in new Outlook for Windows At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . In the rule you want to edit, select . Press Save to save your edited rule. Some rules created in classic Outlook can't be processed by new Outlook because they are client-side rules. To fix a rule that was migrated from classic Outlook, create a new rule to replace it. Delete an inbox rule in new Outlook for Windows At the top of the page, select Settings . At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select Mail > Rules . In the rule you want to delete, select . Tip If you just want to turn the rule off for a while, select the toggle next to the rule. In the rule you want to delete, select . If you just want to turn the rule off for a while, select the toggle next to the rule. Set the order in which inbox rules are applied to incoming messages in new Outlook for Windows Inbox rules are applied to incoming messages based on the order they're in within the Inbox rules list. You can arrange the order in which the rules you create are applied to messages coming into your inbox. At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select a rule, and then use the Up arrow or Down arrow to change the order in which the rule is applied to incoming messages. Run inbox rules on existing messages in new Outlook for Windows By default, an inbox rule runs on incoming messages after you've created the rule. To run a rule on existing messages: At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select next to the rule you want to run. Disable and enable rules in new Outlook for Windows If you'd like to temporarily pause, or suspend, a rule from operating and you don't want to delete it, consider disabling the rule. To disable or enable a rule: At the top of the page, select Settings . At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select Mail > Rules . Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. In classic Outlook, you have the option to: Create a rule | Create a rule from a template | Edit a rule | Delete a rule | Run rules | Custom rules Create a rule on a message in classic Outlook for Windows Right-click an existing message and select Rules > Create Rule . Select a condition, and what to do with the message based on the condition. For example, to move messages with a certain title to a specific folder, select the Subject contains condition, select Move the item to folder , select or create a New folder, and then select OK . When you're done creating the rule, select OK. To use the rule right away, select the Run this new rule now on messages already in the current folder checkbox, and then select OK . The message now appears in that folder. Create a rule from a template in classic Outlook for Windows Select File > Manage Rules & Alerts > New Rule . Select File > Manage Rules & Alerts > New Rule . Select a template. For example, to flag a message: Select Flag messages from someone for follow-up . Select a template. For example, to flag a message: Select Flag messages from someone for follow-up . Edit the rule description. Select an underlined value, choose the options you want, and then select OK . Edit the rule description. Select an underlined value, choose the options you want, and then select OK . Select the conditions, add the relevant information, and then select OK . Select the conditions, add the relevant information, and then select OK . Finish the rule setup. Name the rule, setup rule options, and review the rule description. Click an underlined value to edit. Finish the rule setup.

Name the rule, setup rule options, and review the rule description. Click an underlined value to edit. Select Finish . Certain rules will only run when Outlook is on. If you get this warning, select OK . Select Finish . Certain rules will only run when Outlook is on. If you get this warning, select OK . Edit a rule in classic Outlook for Windows If you've set rules to organize your incoming mail but they're not all working as you expect them to, these steps might help you find and fix the problem. To fix a broken rule: Click File > Manage Rules & Alerts . If you see a message that says you have a broken rule that needs to be modified, click OK. Check the box next to the rule in red. Click the links under Rule description and edit the rule as needed, and then click OK . To change the settings, name, location or behavior of a rule: Click File > Manage Rules & Alerts . Click File > Manage Rules & Alerts . Check the box next to the rule that you want to modify. Check the box next to the rule that you want to modify. Click Change Rule⁠,⁠ click the type of change you want to make, and then complete the steps. Note To delete a rule, in the Rules and Alerts dialog, check the box next to the rule, and then click Delete . Click Change Rule⁠,⁠ click the type of change you want to make, and then complete the steps. To delete a rule, in the Rules and Alerts dialog, check the box next to the rule, and then click Delete . Delete a rule in classic Outlook for Windows You can delete a rule when it's no longer necessary. On the File tab, choose Manage Rules & Alerts . In the Rules and Alerts dialog box, on the E-mail Rules tab, choose the rule you want to delete. Choose Delete > OK . To temporarily suspend a rule, clear the check box next to the rule. This enables you to keep the rule and turn it on later. Run rules manually in classic Outlook for Windows You can manually run one or more rules. On the File tab, choose Manage Rules & Alerts , and on the E-mail Rules tab, choose Run Rules Now . In the Run Rules Now box, under Select rules to run , select the check box for each rule that you want to run. In the Run in Folder box, to select a different folder, choose Browse , choose the folder, and then choose OK . Select the Include subfolders check box to include all folders under the folder you chose in step 3. In the Apply rules to list, accept the default setting of all messages, or change to read or unread messages. Choose Run Now . Create custom actions rules in classic Outlook There are third party developers who write custom action rules add-ins in the form of dynamic link library (.dll files) that you must install on the computer running classic Outlook before you can use them. Microsoft doesn't provide custom action add-ins. Learn how to Use add-ins in Outlook . A rule with a custom action runs only on the computer where it is installed and only when Outlook is running. In Outlook on the web, you have the option to: Create a rule | Edit a rule | Delete a rule | Change rules order | Disable rules Create an inbox rule in Outlook on the web Select Settings . Select Mail . Then under Mail , select Rules . Select Add new rule . Type a name for the inbox rule in the Name your rule box and then select a condition and action from their respective drop-down lists. You can add additional conditions or actions by selecting Add a condition or Add an action . Add exceptions to the inbox rule by selecting Add exception and then choosing one from the Add exception menu. By default, the Stop processing more rules option is turned on. With this option on, when a message arrives in your inbox that meets the criteria for more than one rule, only the first rule will be applied. If you don't select this check box, all inbox rules that a message meets the criteria for will be applied. Edit an inbox rule in Outlook on the web You can edit any inbox rule by selecting it and choosing Edit rule to open the rule so that you can change the conditions or actions of the rule. Delete an inbox rule in Outlook on the web If you have an inbox rule that you no longer want, you can select it and then select Delete to remove it. If you just want to turn the rule off for a while, remove the check mark next to the rule. Set the order in which inbox rules are applied to incoming messages in Outlook on the web Inbox rules are applied to incoming messages based on the order they appear in within the Inbox rules list. You can arrange the order in which the rules you create are applied to messages coming into your inbox: Select Settings . Select Mail . Then under Mail , select Rules . Select the rule you want to move and then select the up arrow or down arrow to place the rule where you want it positioned within the list of rules. If you use a work or school account to sign in to Microsoft 365, you're using Outlook on the web. If you're using an Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN account, please go to the Outlook.com tab. Disable and enable rules in Outlook on the web If you'd like to temporarily pause, or suspend, a rule from operating and you don't want to delete it, consider disabling the rule. To disable or enable a rule: At the top of the page, select Settings . At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select Mail > Rules . Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. In Outlook.com, you have the option to: Create a rule | Edit a rule | Delete a rule | Change rules order | Run rules | Disable rules Create an inbox rule in Outlook.com Rules are applied to incoming messages and can be created from any folder. To quickly create a rule that moves all email from a specific sender or a set of senders to a folder, right-click a message in your message list that you want to create a rule for, select Rule , then Create rule . Choose the folder where you want all messages from that sender or set of senders to be moved, and then select OK . If you'd like to do more than just move the message from a specific sender or set of senders to a folder, select More options . To create a completely new rule, at the top of the page, select Settings > Mail > Rules . To create a completely new rule, at the top of the page, select Settings > Mail > Rules . Select Add new rule . Tip Every rule needs at least three things: A name, a condition, and an action. Rules can also contain exceptions to conditions. You can add multiple conditions, actions, and exceptions at each step by choosing Add a condition , Add an action , and Add an exception . Select Add new rule . Every rule needs at least three things: A name, a condition, and an action. Rules can also contain exceptions to conditions. You can add multiple conditions, actions, and exceptions at each step by choosing Add a condition , Add an action , and Add an exception . Press Save to create your rule or Discard to cancel rule creation. Press Save to create your rule or Discard to cancel rule creation. If you don't want any more rules to run after this one does, select the Stop processing more rules check box. For more information, see Stop processing more rules in Outlook.com . Edit an inbox rule in Outlook.com At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . In the rule you want to edit, select Edit . Select Save to save your edited rule. Some rules created in other versions of Outlook can't be processed by Outlook.com. You won't be able to run or edit the rule in Outlook.com. Delete an inbox rule in Outlook.com At the top of the page, select Settings . At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select Mail > Rules . In the rule you want to delete, select Delete . Tip If you just want to turn the rule off for a while, select the toggle next to the rule. In the rule you want to delete, select Delete . If you just want to turn the rule off for a while, select the toggle next to the rule. Set the order in which inbox rules are applied to incoming messages in Outlook.com Inbox rules are applied to incoming messages based on the order they're in within the Inbox rules list. You can arrange the order in which the rules you create are applied to messages coming into your inbox. At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select a rule, and then use the Up arrow or Down arrow to change the order in which the rule is applied to incoming messages. Run inbox rules on existing messages in Outlook.com Currently, you can't run inbox rules on existing messages in the Outlook.com beta. A new rule is applied only to messages you receive after the rule was created. However, you can use Archive, Move to, and Sweep to automatically move or delete messages in your inbox. To learn more, see Organize your inbox with Archive, Sweep, and other tools in Outlook.com . Disable and enable rules in Outlook.com If you'd like to temporarily pause, or suspend, a rule from operating and you don't want to delete it, consider disabling the rule. To disable or enable a rule: At the top of the page, select Settings . At the top of the page, select Settings . Select Mail > Rules . Select Mail > Rules . Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. Use the toggle next to the rule name to disable or enable the rule. What else do I need to know about Outlook.com You might have created a rule to forward or redirect messages you receive to another email address. If so, it's important to know the difference between forwarding and redirecting. A forwarded message appears as a message you received and then forwarded to another recipient. When the recipient replies, the reply will go to the address the message was forwarded from. A redirected message keeps the original sender on the From line. When a recipient that a message was redirected to replies, the reply will go to the original sender. Use rules to automatically forward messages in Outlook Edit or fix a broken rule in Outlook Stop processing more rules in Outlook Import or export a set of rules in classic Outlook Create a rule in Outlook for Mac Thank you for your feedback!