Rules and automatic replies

Hello Calixto Helder,

Good day! Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community.

We understand how important it is for you to have automated workflows like recurring automatic replies set up seamlessly in Outlook. We’re here to assist you in resolving this issue.

You mentioned that you used to have a rule that worked fine for creating automatic replies on certain days, but recently it's giving an "incompatible with server" error. Additionally, the Rules feature in Outlook doesn't seem to provide the option for the server to send a reply anymore. You're looking for a way to set up automatic replies that recur on specific days of the week, as the standard automatic replies feature only allows setting a date range.

I understand your frustration with the limitations of Outlook's built-in automatic replies feature. You've already tried using rules, which is a common approach, but encountered compatibility issues. It's great that you're actively seeking a solution to this problem.

To set up a recurring automatic reply in Outlook for specific days of the week, you can use a combination of rules and templates.

Given the limitations with the server-side rule functionality, here are a few approaches you can consider:

Create an Out-of-Office Template:

• Open Outlook and create a new email message.
• Write your automatic reply message (e.g., "I am currently out of the office and will respond to your email as soon as possible.").
• Save this email as a template by selecting File > Save As and choosing Outlook Template (*.oft).3

Create a Rule for Automatic Replies:

• Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
• Click on New Rule and select Apply rule on messages I receive.
• Click Next to apply this rule to all messages (select "Yes" when prompted).
• In the actions list, check reply using a specific template.
• Click on the underlined text for a specific template, navigate to User Templates in File System, select your saved template, and click Open.
• Add any exceptions if needed, then click Next.
• Name your rule (e.g., "Weekly Auto Reply") and ensure Turn on this rule is checked.

Power Automate (Microsoft Flow) for Advanced Automation:

Power Automate allows you to create workflows that can send automatic replies on specific days of the week. This might be the most robust solution for your needs, as it can run independently of Outlook's built-in rules.

• Go to Power Automate.
• Create a new flow triggered by receiving an email in your Outlook inbox.
• Add a condition to check the current day of the week.
• If the day matches your absence days, set the flow to send an automatic reply.
• Save and test your flow to ensure it works as expected.

Additionally, you can check this article: I Need a recurring automatic Reply - Microsoft Community

If you need further assistance with any of these steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you find the best solution for your needs.

Please understand that our initial response may not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

Appreciate your kind understanding. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Microsoft Community Moderator