===== Out of Office Message =====

In order to set your automatic out-of-office (OOF) response, sign into the Outlook Web App (OWA) at https://email.gwdg.de and click “**Options**” at the upper right corner, then select “**Set Automatic Replies ...**” from the drop down list to configure the desired text and the duration of absence.

{{ :en:services:email_collaboration:email_service:5other:owa-automatic-replies.png |}}

Under “**Automatic Replies**”, the option activated by default is “**Don’t send automatic replies**” and the rest of screen is shown greyed. To turn the OOF on, choose “**Send automatic replies**”.

{{ :en:services:email_collaboration:email_service:5other:owa-oof-message_explaned.png |}}

First set a timeframe when the OOF starts and ends by selecting “**Send replies only during this time period**” and set the start and end time.\\
Two different messages can be configured:
  *   One for your senders belonging to your organization, and
  *   One for external senders

Compose and format your messages in the text boxes.\\
If you decide not to send OOF reply to external sender, uncheck “**Send automatic reply message to senders outside my organization**” option.

Otherwise, if you want the OOF to be sent to external sender, choose “**Send replies to all external senders**” option or “**Send replies only to senders in my Contact list**” respectively. 

Save your changes by clicking on **Save** down in the right corner of the screen.

{{ :en:services:email_collaboration:email_service:owa-auto-reply-4.png?nolink |}}

**Note**: please be aware that OOF response, once it is turned on, will be sent only once per sender.