Reply to, forward, or redirect messages

1. Select a message in the message list.

   To include just a portion of the original message in your reply, select the text to include.

   If you select the top message in a conversation, all of the messages in the conversation are selected.

2. Move the pointer over the message header, then click one of the following buttons:

   • Reply to reply to just the sender.

   • Reply All to reply to the sender and the other recipients.

   • Forward to choose new recipients.

   You can add or remove recipients as needed.

3. Add your text.

   If you included the original message, vertical bars (called quotation bars) may appear next to it.

   You can make your text appear as quotations:

   • Add quotation bars to your text: Choose Format > Quote Level > Increase or Format > Quote Level > Decrease. This also changes the quote level at which selected text appears.

   • Paste text as quoted text: Choose Edit > Paste as Quotation.

4. If the original message contained attachments, decide whether to include them:

   • Include attachments in a reply: Click the Include Attachment button in the toolbar of the message window or choose Edit > Attachments > Include Original Attachments in Reply.

   • Exclude attachments from a reply: Click the Exclude Attachment button in the toolbar of the message window or choose Message > Remove Attachments.

5. When you’re ready, click the Send button .

If you prefer to always omit the original message from your replies, choose Mail > Preferences, click Composing, then deselect “Quote the text of the original message.”

• Click Reply in the notification. Your reply is addressed to all recipients; to reply only to the sender, click the Reply button in the toolbar of the message window.

  You can also click anywhere in a Mail notification to open the message, then reply.

• Select the message, then choose Message > Forward as Attachment.

  You can also drag messages you want to forward one at a time into a message.

Mail must be open before it can automatically forward or reply to messages. If you want to send automatic replies when Mail isn’t open—like when you’re on vacation—check with the provider of your email account.

1. Choose Mail > Preferences, then click Rules.

2. Click Add Rule, then type a name for the rule.

3. Indicate whether any or all of the conditions must be true for the rule to be applied.

4. Set the conditions that determine which messages to automatically reply to or forward.

5. Choose options from the “Perform the following actions” pop-up menu.

   • Forward messages: Choose Forward Message from the first pop-up menu, then enter the email addresses where you want to receive the forwarded messages. Click Message, then enter any text you want to include with the forwarded message. For example, you could explain that you’re automatically forwarding messages.

   • Reply to messages: Choose “Reply to Message” from the first pop-up menu, click “Reply message text,” then enter your reply. Mail includes the full text of the original message in your reply.

6. Click OK.

Carefully consider the rules you create. If they’re too broad, messages can be sent inadvertently or create loops (replies to replies you sent). If possible, test the rules.

• Select a message, choose Message > Redirect, address the message, then click the Send button .

  The recipient sees only the address of the original sender, and the recipient’s reply goes only to the original sender. You can’t redirect messages for an Exchange account.