Below are instructions on how to set up an Automatic Out of Office Email Reply for the Outlook Desktop Client and for Outlook Web App. You only need to setup the Automatic Out of Office Email Reply rule on one application for your LSUA email account.
For Outlook Web App (Office 365)
1. Login to myLSUA and click Email at the top.
1. Once you are in your email - Click File, then select Account Info from the left-hand side. Select Automatic Replies
2. Next, Toggle On automatic replies - select the option Send Replies Only During a Time Period. You can set specific dates for automatic replies by selecting the option “Only send during this time range”. This will automatically start and turn off automatic replies based on the date and time you select.
3. Next, type your Automatic Reply message in the text box provided. There’s a tab for creating a message for Inside My Organization and for Outside my Organization. You can copy and paste the same information for both tabs.
Example Text:
I will be out of the office from December___ through ____. Please see below for links that might be of assistance.
- For guidance on getting authorized to register, email {Enter Your Department Information Here}
- For technology questions, see the Online HelpDesk at https://helpdesk.lsua.edu/
- To submit a HelpDesk ticket for technology issues, email iethelp@lsua.edu.
- Questions about the Academic Calendar, visit the Registrar’s page: https://www.lsua.edu/academics/registrar
- If you’re a 100% online student needing assistance, please email your Student Success Coach or email online@lsua.edu.
4. Click the SAVE button to save your changes. Once you save your changes, you will see a message bar at the top of your email indicating “Automatic Replies” is on.
5. When you’re ready to turn off Automatic Replies, you can click "Turn Off” in blue on the message bar or return to the section in Step 2 and Toggle Off "Automatic Replies On".
For Outlook Desktop Client
For Microsoft 365 / Outlook 2021 / Outlook 2019
- Open Microsoft Outlook
- Click File in the top-left corner.
- Select Automatic Replies (Out of Office).
Turn On Automatic Replies
- In the window that opens:
- Select Send automatic replies
- Optional: Check Only send during this time range
- Set your start and end dates/times
Create Your Message
- Under the Inside My Organization tab:
- Type the message coworkers at your organization will receive.
Example:
Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will return on June 2. I will respond as soon as possible upon my return.
- Under the Outside My Organization tab:
- Check Auto-reply to people outside my organization
- Choose:
- My Contacts only, or
- Anyone outside my organization
- Type your external message.
Save
- Click OK to enable the Out of Office reply.
If “Automatic Replies” Is Missing
Your email account may not be using Microsoft Exchange. In that case:
- Go to File → Manage Rules & Alerts
- Create a new rule using:
- “Apply rule on messages I receive”
- Set up an email template reply.
Quick Tip
You can verify Out of Office is active by reopening:
File → Automatic Replies
The button will appear highlighted while enabled.