How to setup an vacation message in Outlook 2003 only


 

Open Outlook and click New the same way you do to create a new email message

Do not fill anything in for the To, CC or subject fields

Type the response message you want in the message body area

From top tool bar select File... Save As

At the very bottom change the Save As type to Outlook Template.oft

Enter into the File Name box a description such as "Vacation Message1"

This completes creating the Vacation response message which now can be used

 

From the Outlook top tool bar, select Tools .... Rules and Alerts ....

Click the New Rule button (top left) and select Start From A Blank Rule

The middle area should already have "Check messages when the arrive" selected

Click next button at the bottom

Scroll and check the box which says "Where my name is in the To or CC box"

Click the next button at the bottom

Scroll and check the box for "Reply using a specific template"

In the bottom step 2 window click on the blue line for "a specific template"

Select your message in the pop up window.

Click the Finish button at the bottom

 

Your Outlook will now automatically reply to all email messages with the response message.

Remember your PC and Outlook must be left running for the response to be sent.