How to Create an Auto Reply in Outlook 2000

The Outlook 2000 email program has a very useful feature that enables users to reply to emails when out of the office or unable to respond personally for long periods of time. Emails no longer have to go unanswered or forwarded to co-workers, and customers will not feel neglected or ignored.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Create a Template

1. Select "Actions" from the Outlook 2000 menu, then choose the "New Mail Using" option from the drop-down menu. Choose "Plain Text."
2. Fill out the body of the email message that you want your recipients to see when they get this email in reply.
3. Choose "Save As" from the "File" menu, and a new window will appear that contains many files and folders.
4. Click the arrow in the "Save As Type" box. Choose "Outlook Template" and enter the name of your file in the "File Name" box. Click "Save." Remember or write down the name and location of the file you have just saved.

Rules for Auto Responding

5. Choose the "Tools" menu and select the "Rules Wizard." This will again bring up another window--the "Rules Wizard" dialog box, with several selection options. Find and select the "New" option.
6. Fill in the box "Check Messages When They Arrive," in the "Which Type of Rule Do You Want to Create" box. Choose "Next" to go to the next step in the process.
7. Read the selection of choices carefully in the "Which Conditions Do You Want to Check" section. Select one or as many that fit your needs. Again, choose "Next" to continue.
8. Pick "Reply Using a Specific Template" in the "What Do You Want to Do With the Message" box.
9. Search for and select "A Specific Template From the Rule Description" option.
10. Select the "User Template in File System." This will be located in the "Look In" area. You should see the file that you created earlier during this process. Highlight the file and choose "Open."
11. Examine any other options on the "Rules Wizard" screen and then click "Finish" and "OK" when all items meet your needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Your computer must remain on, and Office 2000 must be left running.
• Set up Outlook to check for mail periodically on its own.

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