Microsoft 365: Setting an out-of-office or vacation message using OWA

Out of Office messages are sent automatically to anyone who sends you an email for a period of time you designate. It's important to note that the Out of Office Assistant will only reply once to any given sender for each activation period. If the same sender sends you another message, they will not get a second reply. 

NOTE: you must be in the Mail application . The menu items under "Options" change if you are in Calendar or People. 

Turning on an Out of Office Message

1. Log into Office 365 from http://mail.duke.edu making sure you are accessing the Mail section (not Calendar, People, etc.). 
2. Select the gear
   
    at the upper right corner of your OWA window. Then, click View all Outlook settings and Mail.
3. Select Automatic Replies.
4. Click the button for Automatic replies on.
5. If you want to set a time limit for replies, check the option Send replies only during a time period and designate a start and end time for your response. 
6. To send an automatic reply to any one outside our environment, select the check box for Send replies outside your organization, then decide whether to select Send replies only to contacts. 
7. Fill in the text of your automatic reply and click Save. If you don't select a time period for the replies to be sent, they will begin to be sent immediately.   

Turning off an Out of Office Message

1. Log into Office 365 from http://mail.duke.edu making sure you are accessing the Mail section (not Calendar, People, etc.). 
2. Select the gear 
   
    at the upper right corner of your OWA window.
3. Select Automatic replies.
4. Uncheck Automatic replies on and click Save. 

Outlook Web Application updates

Please be aware that Microsoft can and does update the OWA client frequently and the directions and screen shots above may no longer appear the same. If you are unable to follow the directions because they are now inaccurate, please feel free to let us know.

 

If you need further assistance, contact your local IT support group/person

You can also contact your appropriate Service Desk:
University Users: OIT Service Desk - 919 684 2200
Duke Health Users: DHTS Service Desk - 919 684 2243