Rule to move messages where sender is not in multiple address books

[David E. Jones]

I'd like to create a spam rule to move messages into a folder "Possible
Spam" when the sender is not in my address book. The problem is that
when defining the rule, I seem to be able to select only one address
book. In my case, there's a corporate "Global Address List" as well as
my list of "Contacts." Is there a way to design a rule that will move
the message only if the sender is in neither of those? Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'd like to create a spam rule to move messages into a folder
"Possible Spam" when the sender is not in my address book. The
problem is that when defining the rule, I seem to be able to select
only one address book. In my case, there's a corporate "Global
Address List" as well as my list of "Contacts." Is there a way to
design a rule that will move the message only if the sender is in
neither of those? Thanks.

Possibly with three rules. The first rule would test for Contacts and have
only the "stop processing" action, the second rule would test for the GAL
and have only the "stop processing" action. The third (and last) rule would
move everything it sees (which will be everything not caught by the first
two rules) to the "Possible Spam" folder.

 

[David E. Jones]

Possibly with three rules. The first rule would test for Contacts and
have only the "stop processing" action, the second rule would test for
the GAL and have only the "stop processing" action. The third (and
last) rule would move everything it sees (which will be everything not
caught by the first two rules) to the "Possible Spam" folder.

Thanks, Brian. If I understand, the first rule would, when it finds that
the name is in the Contacts list, simply stop and move on to the next
rule. Then the next rule, when running, would not look at the messages
seen by the first rule?

I'm also wondering if this means there can be ONLY these rules, and
other rules I've defined could conflict or interfere?

David

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thanks, Brian. If I understand, the first rule would, when it finds
that the name is in the Contacts list, simply stop and move on to the
next rule.

The "stop processing" action would preclude and subsequent rules from acting
on the message. The rule doesn't stop processing messages. Outlook
examines each message and applies all rules that match their conditions
before moving on to the next message.

Then the next rule, when running, would not look at the
messages seen by the first rule?

In fact, the next rule wouldn't be run at all because of the "stop
processing" action.

I'm also wondering if this means there can be ONLY these rules, and
other rules I've defined could conflict or interfere?

If they preceed the first of the three rules I mention and those rules'
conditions match the condition of a message, then they'll be run and their
actions taken. If those prior rules don't have the "stop processing"
action, then subsequent rules (including the ones I mentioned) will also
apply.

 

[David E. Jones]

The "stop processing" action would preclude and subsequent rules from
acting on the message. The rule doesn't stop processing messages.
Outlook examines each message and applies all rules that match their
conditions before moving on to the next message.


In fact, the next rule wouldn't be run at all because of the "stop
processing" action.


If they preceed the first of the three rules I mention and those rules'
conditions match the condition of a message, then they'll be run and
their actions taken. If those prior rules don't have the "stop
processing" action, then subsequent rules (including the ones I
mentioned) will also apply.

I created the three rules you described, and wanted to report back that
they served the purpose. I couldn't get them to run when Outlook opened,
but it could have something to do with the way Outlook is set up on my
system. However, when I run the rules manually, they work well. I first
created a test folder to give the rules a try, and when they worked, ran
them on my Inbox. After looking at what it found, I had the opportunity
to delete some old messages, add some names to Contacts, and move their
messages back to the Inbox, so it was useful housecleaning. Since then,
I run the rules manually when I open Outlook, and specify to run them on
only unread messages. It makes quick work of getting rid of the obvious
spam.

Thanks again for the help.