"Rules are not supported for this account" message in Outlook "Mac"

Question

I decided to move from Mac Mail to Outlook 365 on my Mac. When I tried to create rules I get the message "Rules are not supported for this account". Mu accounts are imap. Without client side rules Outlook is essentially useless to me because emails will simply be a giant unorganized pile.  Does anyone know why this is happening and if it can be fixed?

Answer 1

Hi WDM1,

Thank you for choosing Microsoft community.

Based on your description, I tried to test from my side. For the classic/old Outlook for Mac, creating rules for an IMAP account is feasible. But if you're using the New Outlook for Mac, according to Create a rule in Outlook for Mac - Office Support (microsoft.com), "in the new Outlook for Mac (as of October 2020), only server rules are available, client rules are no longer supported".

If you're using the New Outlook for Mac to create client rules, we're sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you don't mind, please kindly click the toggle to switch to the classic/old Outlook for Mac. There you'll be able to set rules easily.

Hope it helps! Thank you.

Stay safe & Sincerely,

Qian

Answer 2

Hi WDM1,

Thank you for choosing Microsoft community.

Based on your description, I tried to test from my side. For the classic/old Outlook for Mac, creating rules for an IMAP account is feasible. But if you're using the New Outlook for Mac, according to Create a rule in Outlook for Mac - Office Support (microsoft.com), "in the new Outlook for Mac (as of October 2020), only server rules are available, client rules are no longer supported".

If you're using the New Outlook for Mac to create client rules, we're sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you don't mind, please kindly click the toggle to switch to the classic/old Outlook for Mac. There you'll be able to set rules easily.

Hope it helps! Thank you.

Stay safe & Sincerely,

Qian

Perhaps then you can enlighten me then as to why toggling to the classic version still does not work on my Mac laptop? I use what I would assume is the most up to date version of your software that I pay about $100 every year to use via a subscription! Thanks.

Answer 3

Another approach is to create server-side rules on the web by pointing your browser to outlook.com and signing in.  You can then use either the old or new Mac Outlook client for everything else.

Answer 4

Hi, I have switched back to the old format but still do not see any choice listed anywhere to set up rules.....it is not a choice that I am seeing anywhere.  thanks.

Answer 5

Hi WDM1,

Hope everything goes well with you.

Regarding your concern, may I know if there is any update? Thank you!

Sincerely,

Qian