What happened to the mailbox rules in Outlook

Question

I set rules inside my mailbox to filter certain emails as they come through, now I can't find where the rules are to modify them or add new ones. I've tried the right click on the email and selecting the advanced options and it only gives me an option to apply a retention policy. When I go to the setting and select sweep, it doesn't give me an option to create a new rule.

Answer 1

If you're using (Classic) Outlook, there should be a button for that on the ribbon?

The button is also available in the web version:

Answer 2

Hi @Andrea Riley

Welcome to our forum!

There are some steps you may try:

• Go to Home>...>Rules to create new rules.

• If you cannot find the button of the Rule, you may go to File>Manage Rules and Alerts to have a try.

More information: Set up rules in Outlook - Microsoft Support 

Hope it helps! 

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Answer 3

Hi @Andrea Riley

Thanks for your response.

Where did the issue occur? On New Outlook desktop client or Outlook for web?

And what is your account? Microsoft 365 or Gmail account or something else?

If you are using a M365 account, here are some steps you may take:

• Change another browser: It is suggested that please change a different browser to see if there are any differences.
• Clear the Browser Cache: If after you change your browser, the rule options are displayed, it is recommended that clear the browser cache you used and log back in to OWA to see if there is any difference.
• Re-enable the rule option: If the issue persists, the rule option might be disabled, please refer to the thread and have a try.

If you are using a Gamil account, as i know, it is not supported Gmail account creates the rules in New Outlook, i am afraid that you need to switch back to the legacy Outlook to continue to use this feature. 

Please kindly understand that many functions are not designed at present. To get this feature more quickly, I have found a post in feedback collection website, and you could vote for it. Many features of our current products are designed and upgraded based on customers’ feedback. You can also make suggestions on that website and hope Microsoft will notice this in the future.

Hope it helps.

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Answer 4

I'm using the outlook online

Why would be asking about a gmail account on Microsoft forum? The title of my question clearly states Outlook