Rules processing incorrectly

[mburkhar]

I have a server-side rule in Outlook 2003 to move messages after they
arrive to a specified folder. My junk email settings are on "Low".

Both the rule and my junk email filter seem to be working fine. The
problem is that it seems that every time I get an email with multiple
recipients in the "To" or "cc" fields, the email is sent to the same
folder as the one specified in my rule, regardless of whether it has
any of the words I've chosed to filter or not. The junk email filter
still sends emails that are junk to the junk folder.

The rule does not have any sender or recipient criteria specified
whatsoever. Any ideas why this would happen?

I am not sure what version of Exchange server we are running.

 

[Guest]

Do you have any other rules set up that might be running on these messages
after your server-side rule runs, therefore making the messages do unexpected
things?

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

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[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

How does the rule read? Did you look at the message source to verify the
words are not present in the message? Are you using a stop processing action
in the rule?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)

Need Help with Common Tasks? http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/

 

[mburkhar]

The words are definitely not there. The one thing I don't have is a
"stop processing" action - do I need that? Why would I need that? The
rule states:

Apply this rule after the message arrives
with <list of word>
move it to the <personal folder>

This rule is moving both messages with the keywords and messages that
have multiple recipients to the personal folder.

 

[Brian Tillman]

The words are definitely not there. The one thing I don't have is a
"stop processing" action - do I need that? Why would I need that? The
rule states:

Apply this rule after the message arrives
with <list of word>
move it to the <personal folder>

Without the "stop processing" action, a copy of the message is usually left
in the Inbox so that subsequent rules can process it as well. By including
that action, you're letting Outlook that no further rule needs checking, so
if this rule moves the message, you won't get a duplicate in Inbox.

 

[mburkhar]

hmm- unfortunately, that is not my problem. The mail is definitely
being moved, it is just also moving messages that it shouldn't. Since
it seems to be related to messages with multiple replies, recipients,
or CCs, I'm thinking it is somehow related to the junk filter.
However, I have also noticed that it happens when other messages that
don't meet the filter criteria arrive with those that do, and they are
all swept to the personal folder.

I've created a compensating client-only rule that moves messages from
my contacts back into the inbox. This rule works, though it creates a
copy in the inbox and still leaves the message put in the personal
folder. I sure wish I could see the code behind this rule to see what
is really happening.

 

[Brian Tillman]

hmm- unfortunately, that is not my problem. The mail is definitely
being moved, it is just also moving messages that it shouldn't.

Then you have another rule that's also acting on the message. The "stop
processing" action will prevent that.

 

[mburkhar]

That's the thing - I don't have any more rules. This is the only rule
I have - period. I put a few filter words for subject and body, and
then it moves those messages plus several others. I even created a
new one

I just ran an even simpler test. One rule that looks in subject and
body for "red dawn", and moves to another folder. Sent an email to
myself with "red dawn" in the body. As expected, it moved it to the
folder. Then, I opened the rule manager and ran that rule against the
emails in my inbox. It didn't move any. Then I added the word
"kilimijaro" as an "or" word to the condition and reran the message.
It moved 115 messages into the folder, none of which had either word in
it.

So, the rule appears to work incorrectly only if I have multiple words
with an "or" condition, regardless of what those words may be.

 

[Brian Tillman]

That's the thing - I don't have any more rules. This is the only
rule I have - period. I put a few filter words for subject and body,
and then it moves those messages plus several others.

Well, without seeing your machine, I'm at a loss to explain what's
happening. Sorry.