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Google Gmail

Create Common Canned E-Mail Responses

SUMMARY: In a hurry? Create canned responses to frequent e-mail queries in Gmail.

Are you in a hurry when responding to your 200+ daily e-mails in Google Gmail? Ever wish you could just quickly send a canned response such as "Got your e-mail - will respond later" or "Thanks for your e-mail - talk to you soon"?

Google Labs offers a feature called "Canned Responses" where you can create a few stock responses to common e-mail queries. Then, while you're zipping through your Inbox, you can quickly reply with one of these responses without doing much (or any) typing.

1. Click the "Settings" link near the top-right of Gmail.

2. When the "Settings" page appears, click the "Labs" tab.

3. Next to "Canned Responses", click the "Enable" button.


Enabling the Canned Responses feature in Gmail



4. Click the "Save Changes" button.

<bold> To create a canned response you can use later:</bold>

1. Simply compose an e-mail message but do not provide a "To" or subject.

2. You should see a "Canned responses" link underneath the message subject. Click this link to show a pop-up menu.

3. Underneath "Save", click "New canned response".

4. When prompted, give your canned response a name so you can recognize it later and click "OK".

To use a canned response:

1. Compose a message or reply to an e-mail.

2. Click the "Canned responses" link.

3. Underneath "Open", choose your canned response.

To delete a canned response:

1. Compose a message.

2. Click the "Canned responses" link.

3. Underneath "Delete", click the name of the canned response you wish to remove. Confirm when prompted.

Note that when creating a filter, you can now send a canned response to selected messages matching the filter. Just check the "Send canned response" box and choose your desired response name.


Sending the canned response "Got Your Message" as the result of a filter in Gmail



This tip was written on January 12, 2009. Gmail's interface, especially the Labs, are subject to change. This Google Labs feature may be removed without notice.

Return to the Google Gmail page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >