Outlook Rule Exception

Question

Outlook Rule Exception

Ken Blount 1

I have a Rule that moves email to a specific folder based on the following subject text:

Information Request

To not filter any RE: or FW: messages to the same folder I added the following subject text exception:

: Information Request

The intent is to NOT move any emails with RE: Information Request or FW: Information Request to the folder, but my exception does not work. Is there documentation for Outlook that explains what is and is not acceptable for an exception, or a way to test a rule so you can see how it might act on messages in the inbox?

2 answers

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Answer 1

Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Microsoft Employee

Hi @Ken Blount ，

Is there documentation for Outlook that explains what is and is not acceptable for an exception, or a way to test a rule so you can see how it might act on messages in the inbox?

Based on my research, I haven't found any documents that introduce the detailed working principle of Outlook rules.

But according to my tests, we could try to set the following rule via add this exception "except if the subject contains 'RE:' or 'FW:' "to move the messages with the subject of "Information Request" only and keep the messages with the subject of "RE: Information Request and FW: Information Request" in Inbox:

Please kindly check if it could work for you, if you still need further assistance, please feel free to post back :)

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Ken Blount 1 Reputation point

2021-05-24T14:08:12.737+00:00

Thank you -- unfortunately, responses by my colleagues are still filtered into the folder. I don't think the Exceptions rule works, or Outlook has some organizational feature where it has predetermined that I want these messages in the same folder as the original filtered email, and there is no way to override this "feature."
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-05-25T08:43:23.453+00:00

Hi @Ken Blount ,

Thanks for your update. Whether the response message is displayed as a separate message or a message displayed in a conversation like below:

If the above is your case, it's due to you have enabled the conversation view and please try to uncheck the "show as conversations" option to turn off it to check.

If the message actually display as a separate message in your folder, it may be related to your client itself, in order to avoid any errors in your original rule, it's recommended to disable other rules temporarily and create a new rule to test if the issue has any difference.

if your issue has any any update, please feel free to post back.
Ken Blount 1 Reputation point

2021-05-25T16:01:45.633+00:00

Hi -- thank you. I cannot stand conversation view. I turned it off months ago. I'll try disabling other rules and will see what happens.
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-05-28T05:35:16.343+00:00

Hi @Ken Blount ,

Have you tried to create a new rule and disable other rules for testing? If the issue still exists, as I know, the rules couldn't work normally when your local .srs file is corrupted, it's recommended to rename your .srs file and restart your Outlook to check if the issue has any difference(File location: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook).

If that's invalid, corrupted Outlook profile may also cause it, it's recommended to create a new Outlook profile and readd your account to check(Control panel>Mail>show profiles>Add>readd your account).

If your issue has any update, please feel free to post back :)
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-05-31T09:40:18.383+00:00

Hi @Ken Blount ,

Does this issue have any updates? If it has been resolved, please click "Accept as answer" to mark useful post or share your solution, your action would benefit others who have similar issues. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to post back. Thanks!
Ken Blount 1 Reputation point

2021-06-02T14:37:06.51+00:00

Hi -- the Outlook work for the corrupted profile must go through our IT group. I have submitted a request, but they have not yet worked on my ticket. Once they do their work, I will have a better idea if it helps.

Disabling the other rules did not change anything.

Answer 2

Vasil Michev 119.5K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Best post the full rule syntax.

Ken Blount 1 Reputation point

2021-05-22T20:36:25.4+00:00

Add a condition
Subject includes
Information Request

Add an action
Move to
Information Request

Add an exception (optional)
Subject includes
: Informational Request

My intent is to only filter the original email into this specific folder. I want all other responses in my inbox. I've tried multiple iterations of various exceptions, but nothing ever works. Everything always filters into the Information Request folder.

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Outlook Rule Exception

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