Edit or fix a broken rule in Outlook

Fix a rule error in classic Outlook

When a rule isn't working in classic Outlook, it will be highlighted in red and labeled with "Error" when you view your rules and alerts. 

Here's how to fix a broken rule:

1. Select File > Manage Rules & Alerts.

2. If message appears saying you have a broken rule that needs to be modified, select OK.

3. Select the checkbox box next to the rule marked with an error.

4. Select the links under Rule description and edit the rule as needed, and then select OK.

   

Change the settings, name, location or behavior of a rule

1. Select File > Manage Rules & Alerts.

2. Select the checkbox next to the rule that you want to modify.

3. Select Change Rule, select the type of change you want to make, and then complete the steps.

   

   Note: To delete a rule, in the Rules and Alerts dialog, check the box next to the rule, and then select Delete.

Fix a rule in Outlook on the web 

Not all rule conditions or actions available in classic Outlook work the same way in Outlook on the web. One reason a rule might not work in new Outlook could be that it was a client-side rule migrated from classic Outlook. This means the rule conditions and actions occurred only on your device, rather than on the mail server. 

When this happens, your rule shows an alert that says, This rule can't be edited or viewed. 



 

If a rule appears with this alert, you won't be able to edit or view it. Try creating the rule again in Outlook on the web, see create a rule in Outlook on the web. In many cases this will be enough, but it can also depend on what you want the rule to do because some actions or conditions aren't currently supported.

For example, if you're trying to recreate the rule in Outlook on the web and you don't see the condition or action you previously used in classic Outlook, this means that action isn't currently supported.

Edit an inbox rule in Outlook on the web

In cases when you'd like a rule to behave differently, you can edit it: 

1. At the top of the page, select Settings .

2. Select Mail > Rules.

3. In the rule you want to edit, select .

4. Press Save to save your edited rule.

Fix a rule in Outlook.com 

Not all rule conditions or actions available in classic Outlook work the same way in Outlook.com. One reason a rule might not work in Outlook.com could be that it was a client-side rule migrated from classic Outlook. This means the rule conditions and actions occurred only on your device, rather than on the mail server. 

When this happens, your rule shows an alert that says, This rule can't be edited or viewed. 

If a rule appears with this alert, you won't be able to edit or view it. Try creating the rule again in Outlook.com, see Create a rule in Outlook.com. In many cases this will be enough, but it can also depend on what you want the rule to do because some actions or conditions aren't currently supported.

For example, if you're trying to recreate the rule in Outlook.com and you don't see the condition or action you previously used in classic Outlook, this means that action isn't currently supported.

Edit an inbox rule in Outlook.com

In cases when you'd like a rule to behave differently, you can edit it: 

1. At the top of the page, select Settings .

2. Select Mail > Rules.

3. In the rule you want to edit, select .

4. Press Save to save your edited rule.