How to Automatically Run Rules When Opening Outlook 2007

Manage your mailbox automatically using Outlook rules.

Outlook 2007 comes equipped with a powerful tool that allows for the creation of customized email management rules. A set of conditions, actions and exceptions, an Outlook rule automatically processes incoming email messages. Rules should run without user intervention when Outlook opens unless otherwise specified during the rule creation process. Organize your email and better manage your mailbox by taking automatic action on incoming messages using Outlook rules tailored for your specific needs.

Instructions

1. Open Outlook, click the "Mail" icon from the navigation bar, and then click the "Tools" menu and "Rules and Alerts."

2. Select the "E-Mail Rules" tab and click "New Rule."

3. Select a template from the collection of available templates from the "Select a Template" section.

4. Edit the necessary rule conditions by clicking the underlined value from the "Edit the Rule Description" section, and then click "Next."

5. Select any additional conditions from the "Select Condition(s)" scroll box, and then edit the rule conditions by clicking the underlined value from the "Edit the Rule Description" section. Click "OK," followed by "Next."

6. Select the desired rule actions from the "Select Action(s)" scroll box and edit the rule conditions accordingly before clicking "OK," followed by "Next." More than one action may be selected.

7. Select the necessary rule exceptions from the "Select Exception(s) (If Necessary)" scroll box, and then edit the exception conditions by clicking the underlined value from the "Edit the Rule Description" section. Click "OK," and then click "Next."

8. Enter a name for the rule in the "Specify a Name for this Rule" text box.

9. Click to check the "Turn on this Rule" box, and click "Finish."

10. Apply the rule by clicking "OK."

References

• Microsoft: Manage Messages by Using Rules
• Microsoft: Tips for Managing Your Emails Using Rules
• University of Wisconsin: Using Rules to Organize Your Email

Resources

• Microsoft: Rules May Become Corrupted When You Access Them from Multiple Versions of Outlook
• Make Use Of: MS Outlook Tip - How to Automatically Organize Incoming Emails