Here’s how to create your Out Of Office Message in Outlook, since chances are, you’ll be taking some time off during this Christmas and New Year season.

Christmas this year is on a Sunday and so many will take at least the Friday and following Monday off – some much more. New Years also falls on a Sunday and I know some places will be shut down all the time in between those two holidays. If you’re one of the lucky ones and your office will be closed for an extended period of time this season, how do you let your customers and friends know?

There is a way to tell Outlook to automatically reply to any email while you are away, with a scripted message where you can say when you will be away and when you are back. You don’t need Exchange or any special service, you just need to make sure your computer is kept on.

Create Out-Of-Office Message

Here’s our article on creating an Outlook Out-Of-Office message.

 
Once you implemented Outlook’s Out-Of-Office capability you won’t have to check your email while you are away. Outlook will send the automated response and you can review all your email once you return.

Out Of Office Tips & Fun

• - If your customer or friend base is international avoid using numbers for dates. Eg: “I will be back 12/1/2012″ is the month first or the date? Type the full date instead.
• - Don’t use abbreviations. Not everyone knows that OOO or OOF means “out of office”. Take the time to write out everything in full
• - Don’t refer to internal projects or information that is not pubic to all. There is no way to tell Outlook to leave a specific message to a specific email sender.
• - If there is someone they can contact in your place while you are gone, let them know. Eg. “If you have an urgent request please contact XXXXXX at 123-456-7890″.
• - Want some fun Out-of-office replies? Try these, or these!

Take time this holiday season and relax, drive safe, and refresh yourself for the coming year!