Rules Broken

[Doug Jenik]

I¹m using Entourage on update 12.1.4. The rules were broken in the earlier
versions and then fixed in an update but they now appear to be broken again.
Is this a known problem and are their fixes available? Thanks.

 

[Ed Kimball]

I¹m using Entourage on update 12.1.4. The rules were broken in the earlier
versions and then fixed in an update but they now appear to be broken again.
Is this a known problem and are their fixes available? Thanks.

When you say "the rules were broken" can you be more precise? Broken in what
way?

 

[Doug Jenik]

About a year ago, the rules did not automatically put things in the correct
place for moving messages, they would not following the criteria defined and
were pretty much useless. I never could tell where Entourage would put
things if at all. That was fixed and the rules appeared to would properly.
Now, following this last update, many of the rules (not all) do not appear
to work properly (i.e. A rules that clearly only acts upon one type of
message is now grabbing every message and moving them, old rules that have
not been changed that used to work are now not working, etc.). I was just
wondering if this was a recently reported problem with Entourage or if this
might a local problem on my machine.

 

[Diane Ross]

Recheck your rules and make sure folders and other criteria are set
correctly. Do you have a backup of the Rules file prior to the update. If
yes, you can just replace it with the current file.

The problem is local, we just need to help you with your rules. Let me know
if resetting the rules works.

 

[springeruk]

I have a similar issue, but as I only recently started using the Exchange account as well I'm not sure if it's always been there.

In my case I have two rules to move items from my Exchange mailbox to the corresponding folder in the 'Folders on my computer' in this case from Inbox to Inbox as one rule and from Sent items to sent items as the second.

The Inbox rule works but the sent items rule does not although if I run the sent items rule manually it works fine.

Why do I do this? I have a number of POP accounts, an IMAP account just want all my email in one place.

 

[Doug Jenik]

I rechecked the rules and they appear to be correct. Also, they were
working fine before the upgrade. I've looked for a backup or the Rules file
and I don't appear to have a backup.

What's the next step?

 

[Diane Ross]

(i.e. A rules that clearly only acts upon one type of
message is now grabbing every message and moving them, old rules that have
not been changed that used to work are now not working, etc.). I was just
wondering if this was a recently reported problem with Entourage or if this
might a local problem on my machine.

You must have a rule that is moving the message. The most likely culprit is
the Mailing List Manager (MLM). It's very easy to set up a MLM rule by
accident, when you are marking a message as 'not junk'. The wording of that
dialog is ambiguous to say the least. Check if there is an MLM entry (look
for MLM entries under the tools menu) with the incorrect destination folder
as the target folder. Mailing List Manager rules run before your other
rules.

 

[Diane Ross]

I have a similar issue,

Please start your own thread. Mixing similar questions makes it impossible
to provide support and for users to search and find answers.

 

[Doug Jenik]

There were only two entries in the MLM list (both old) and neither should be
affecting any email currently coming into my inbox. I deleted both. The
problem that I'm experiencing is that messages are obviously coming into my
inbox but the rules are not moving them to the proper folder if at all
although some rules still appear to be working properly.

 

[Diane Ross]

There were only two entries in the MLM list (both old) and neither should be
affecting any email currently coming into my inbox. I deleted both. The
problem that I'm experiencing is that messages are obviously coming into my
inbox but the rules are not moving them to the proper folder if at all
although some rules still appear to be working properly.

Rules run in the order listed. It's possible a rule higher in the list is
acting on the message and no further rules will run. Try moving the rule to
the top of the list and see if it works.

 

[Doug Jenik]

Understand. I have moved them around in priority to see if this makes a
difference. Also, I have one very simple rule set to move messages from a
specific sender which is located at the very bottom but for some reason,
every time I turn that rule on, it moves every incoming message into the
designated folder...not just those which meet the rule criteria. Still not
working properly for some reason.

 

[Diane Ross]

If you post the rule, maybe we can see what's wrong.

Diane

 

[Doug Jenik]

I have. No joy. I have had some success now with older rules working but
any new rule that I create ignores all criteria and takes every incoming
message and moves it to the designated folder. The rules no longer work.

 

[Diane Ross]

I have. No joy. I have had some success now with older rules working but
any new rule that I create ignores all criteria and takes every incoming
message and moves it to the designated folder. The rules no longer work.

It's extremely difficult to troubleshoot rules without having all the rules
shown (not just the list of rules). This page goes over why rules don't
work.

Why Rules Don't Work <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/rules.html>

If you cannot fix yourself, I do consulting work and you can contact me off
list to discuss.

To contact me off list, use this address:

Entouragehelp @ gmail .com

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