Custom action

[Ian]

I am trying to use rules to tidy up my emails. I am trying to MOVE specific
emails from me to another folder after sending, but I only seem to be able
to COPY them (option is to "move a copy"). Although this puts the message
where I want it, it still leaves a copy in the Sent Items folder.

I notice there is an option to "perform a custom action", but I can't find
any information in the help file on creating a custom action.

Can anyone help?

 

[Dyawlak]

Would a 2nd rule of deleting the mail work?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I am trying to use rules to tidy up my emails. I am trying to MOVE
specific emails from me to another folder after sending, but I only
seem to be able to COPY them (option is to "move a copy"). Although
this puts the message where I want it, it still leaves a copy in the
Sent Items folder.

If you were to disable the option to save copies of sent items in the Sent
Items folder, then the rule would become a true move.

 

[Ian]

Hi Dyawlak

I'd already thought of that, but the option doesn't exist when processing
messages after sending. The option is only there for incoming, not outgoing
messages.

 

[Ian]

Hi Brian

An interesting idea, but if the message isn't saved in sent items, where
would the rule find the message in order to move it?

Assuming your idea is feasible for the messages in question, could the
option be specific to these messages (ie still save copies of other sent
messages in sent items?

 

[Brian Tillman]

An interesting idea, but if the message isn't saved in sent items,
where would the rule find the message in order to move it?

The rule processes the message as it leaves the Outbox. It doesn't look in
the Sent Items folder. Rules work on outgoing messages whether or not you
save copies in Sent Items, so obviously Sent Items can't be a determining
factor.

Assuming your idea is feasible for the messages in question, could the
option be specific to these messages (ie still save copies of other
sent messages in sent items?

Not only is it feasible, but it's the only way to do it. If you have
messages that wo't be processed by this particular rule, then add the "stop
processing more rules" action as well and suypply one more rule that has no
condition (i.e., it acts on every message) and whose only action is to move
a copy to Sent Items. This rule should be last in the list. Any message
that was moved by a prior rule won't reach this rule and all messsages not
processed by prior rules will, so anything that falls through to the bottom
will be saved in Sent Items.

 

[Ian]

Just what I needed. Thanks, Brian

--
Ian
--

The rule processes the message as it leaves the Outbox. It doesn't look
in the Sent Items folder. Rules work on outgoing messages whether or not
you save copies in Sent Items, so obviously Sent Items can't be a
determining factor.


Not only is it feasible, but it's the only way to do it. If you have
messages that wo't be processed by this particular rule, then add the
"stop processing more rules" action as well and suypply one more rule that
has no condition (i.e., it acts on every message) and whose only action is
to move a copy to Sent Items. This rule should be last in the list. Any
message that was moved by a prior rule won't reach this rule and all
messsages not processed by prior rules will, so anything that falls
through to the bottom will be saved in Sent Items.

 

[Ian]

Hi Brian

Using the process you describe, the "catchall" rule sends remaining messages
to Sent Items, but marked as Unread. I can't find any (obvious) way to
automatically mark them as read. I assume the same will happen to the other
rules, though I haven't had call to make use of these, yet.

Any ideas how I could automate this?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Using the process you describe, the "catchall" rule sends remaining
messages to Sent Items, but marked as Unread. I can't find any
(obvious) way to automatically mark them as read. I assume the same
will happen to the other rules, though I haven't had call to make use
of these, yet.
Any ideas how I could automate this?

Off-hand, I can't think if anything, but what I'd do is to periodically
right-click Sent Items and choose Mark All as Read.

 

[Ian]

Yes, that's what I'd thought. Not a big deal.

Thanks again for your help.