Stop processing more rules in Outlook
Applies To
Outlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac Outlook 2024 for Mac Outlook 2021 for Mac Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 Outlook 2013 Outlook.com New Outlook for Windows Outlook Web AppRules let you handle email messages automatically based on a variety of different criteria. For example, you can move all messages from someone into a folder, or immediately delete all messages from a pesky online shopping site.
Sometimes, you might set up several rules that could apply to a single message. If you created a rule to move all messages with a subject line of "Wedding plans" to a folder, for example, and then created another rule to delete all messages with attachments, you probably wouldn't want a message related to wedding plans that has an attachment to be deleted. To prevent this from happening, you can set the option Stop processing more rules on the first rule.
Subsequent rules will be ignored, even if they apply to the message.
Here's an example
In this example, the Wedding planner rule moves any email message from Jasmin Wolfe to the Wedding folder except if the message is marked Importance High. Stop processing more rules is selected, so no additional processing will occur.
How to stop processing more rules
To add Stop processing more rules to a rule in new Outlook:
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Edit next to the rule to which you want to apply Stop processing more rules.
-
Select the check box for Stop processing more rules.
-
Select Save.
In classic Outlook, rules are created with the Stop processing rules condition set as default, unless you create exceptions. To add or remove exceptions, edit a rule in classic Outlook:
-
From the Ribbon, select Move > Rules > Manage Rules and Alerts.
-
Select the rule you'd like edit.
-
Select Change Rule > Edit Rule Settings.
-
Follow the steps to add or remove conditions, and then select Next.
-
Under What do you want to do with the message? Select the check box for Stop processing more rules.
-
Select Finish if you're done, or select Next to add exceptions.
-
Proceed through the Rules Wizard and select Finish when you're done.
To add Stop processing more rules to a rule in Outlook on the web:
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Edit next to the rule to which you want to apply Stop processing more rules.
-
Select the check box for Stop processing more rules.
-
Select Save.
To add Stop processing more rules to a rule in Outlook.com:
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Edit next to the rule to which you want to apply Stop processing more rules.
-
Select the check box for Stop processing more rules.
-
Select Save.
See also
Manage email messages by using rules in Outlook
Use rules to automatically forward messages in Outlook
Edit or fix a broken rule in Outlook
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
