If you use the Lab’s central IMAP service for email, you can change your vacation message using the Web interface. Click on Options, then click on Vacation Message, which gives you the screen shown below. Check the box to enable automatic replies and to set a start and stop date for your message.

The Lab’s webmail lets you tailor your message for Lab and outside contacts. The first box will be sent to internal (lbl.gov) senders, and the second to external senders. Fill in both fields and click on Save Changes below. (The system will not permit changes to be saved unless the automatic vacation reply box is checked.) Then log out. It may take up to 30 minutes for changes to take effect.

More detailed information is available on the vacation message Web page.

Vacation Message
Use this form to set up automatic replies for periods when you cannot read your email.

Enable automatic vacation reply.

Start vacation notice on: (mm/dd/yyyy)

Stop vacation notice on: (mm/dd/yyyy)

Number of days between replies to repeat senders:

Subject:

The following text will be included in your vacation message to internal senders:
I will be away from the Lab until 1/2/2006.

The following text will be included in your vacation message:
I will be away from the Lab until 1/2/2006.