Out of office message
A short automatic reply with your dates away and a backup contact for urgent matters.
ToRecipient
SubjectOut of office: {{start_date}} – {{return_date}}
Thanks for your email. I'm out of the office from {{start_date}} through {{return_date}} with limited access to email.
For anything urgent, please contact {{backup_name}} at {{backup_email}}. Otherwise I'll reply when I'm back.
{{sender_name}}
{{company}}
Copy email keeps fonts, colors, bold, links, and lists when you paste into Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail. Open in starts a new message with the plain-text version.
When to send it
Paste it into your email's automatic reply before a vacation, a conference, or time off.
Tips for a better out of office message
- Give exact dates, including the day you're back.
- Name a backup contact for anything urgent.
- Leave out where you're going.
More email templates
Browse all 26 templates- Office & time awayHoliday closure emailTell clients and partners when the office closes, when it reopens, and who to call in an emergency.
- Clients & projectsWeekly project update emailA weekly client update with three parts: progress, what's coming up, and what you need from them.
- Architecture & constructionRFI response emailA formal answer to a contractor's request for information that fits cleanly into the project record.