University Computer Help Desk

Before You Begin

RedbirdMail allows you to create filters for your email. A filter automatically takes an action on your email. When you create a filter, you must specify the conditions under which the action will occur. You must also define the action you want to take place. For example, you could create a filter to automatically move new messages from a specific sender to a folder of your choosing. 

The instructions below serve as an example for creating a filter in RedbirdMail. You will probably want to tailor your filters to your needs. Using the concepts from the example below, you should be able to create your own filters.

Example Filter 

In this example, you will create a filter to move all emails from Reggie Redbird to a folder called "Important." Reggie's email address is rrredbi@ilstu.edu, and you'll use this address when you create the filter.

To set up a filter in RedBirdMail that moves email from a specific sender to a designated folder, do the following:

1. Go to https://redbirdmail.illinoisstate.edu/ and log in.
2. Click the Filters button at the top of the window.
3. Click New Rule.
4. Provide a name for your rule in the Rule Name field.
   • For this example, name the rule Move Reggie Email to Important Folder.
5. Under For an incoming message that matches:, select All of the following.
6. Select From from the drop-down field.
7. Select Contains from the next drop-down field.
8. Enter part or all of the sender's email address in the text field next to Contains.
   • For this example, enter rrredbi@. By entering only the first part of the email address, we ensure that Reggie's emails will match the condition regardless of whether they are sent from rrredbi@ilstu.edu or rrredbi@illinoisstate.edu.
9. Under Do this: select Deliver to folder....
10. Select the desired folder from the drop-down menu labeled Select target folder:. You can either use an existing folder or choose to create a new folder.
    • For this example, choose Create new folder. You will be prompted to enter a folder name. This example filter is designed to move Reggie's emails to a folder called "Important" so enter Important in the box and click OK.
11. By default, the messages moved will still be marked as unread. If you want to move the messages and mark them as read, put a check mark in the box labeled Seen.
12. Make sure there is a check mark in the box labeled Stop checking if this rule matches?
13. Click Save.

Your new filter has been saved. 

Important: By default, filters are not turned on in RedbirdMail. You should turn on your filter rules so they work automatically. This is explained below.

Turn On Filter Rules

To turn on your filter rules so they run automatically, do the following:

1. Within RedbirdMail, click Classic View on the left to go back to your Inbox.
2. Click the Options button at the top of the window.
3. Click Filters.
4. Put a check mark next to the following options:
   • Apply filter rules upon logging on?
   • Apply filter rules whenever Inbox is displayed?
   • Apply filter rules whenever sidebar is refreshed?
5. Click Save Options.

Your filter rules are now set to run automatically.