Run Rules on Existing Messages

A rule is generally created to work on a newly arrived message or a newly sent message. However, you can create rules to help you manage your existing messages as well. After you create your rule, you can run it on existing messages to save yourself from managing the messages manually.

To run a rule on existing messages, use the following steps:

1. Select Tools, Rules and Alerts to display the Rules and Alerts dialog box shown previously in Figure 27.5.

2. Select Run Rules Now to display Figure 27.14.

   Figure 27.14. You can run one or many rules manually.

   

3. Choose one or more rules to run by checking the box next to the rule name in the Select Rules to Run box.

4. If you need to view the details of the rule, select the name of the rule. The details of the rule will appear in the Rule Description box.

5. You can run any of your existing rules in any folder in your Outlook data store. By default, the folder you're currently viewing is listed in the Run in Folder text box. To choose a different folder, click the Browse button. If you want to run the rule on messages in a folder and its subfolders, check the box marked Include Subfolders.

6. As a last option, you can choose which messages you want the rule to examine. Choose either all messages, unread messages, or read messages from the Apply Rules To drop-down list.

7. Click Run Now to execute your rule. Outlook displays a progress box indicating how much longer your rule will run. When the rule has finished running, you'll return to the dialog box shown in Figure 27.15.

   Figure 27.15. You can export or import your rules.

   

8. Click Close to return to the Rules and Alerts dialog box or select another rule to run now.