Question

Filtering for flagged Outlook mail

  • 29 January 2021
  • 16 replies
  • 1562 views

Userlevel 1

I am trying to filter for flagged Outlook emails so I can create a Todoist task for each Outlook email that I set a flag for.  The default filter setting seems to be “not flagged”.  Excuse my noobie ignorance but how can I filter for flag being set?


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16 replies

Userlevel 7
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Hi @gtd_nerd 

You can add Filters to your Zap: https://zapier.com/apps/filter/help

You’d have to filter on a data point provided from the Outlook trigger step.

You may have to try pulling in a representative sample email to use to configure your Zap.

Userlevel 1

Thank you.  I have seen this.  However, I can’t find the answer to question of how to change the filter from “not flagged” to “flagged.”  I suspect the answer is simple but I am just missing it.

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

The Flag status is related to the Flag icon in Outlook on an email.

 

Check out these Outlook help articles

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/flag-email-messages-for-follow-up-9d0f175f-f3e9-406d-bbf7-9c57e1f781cc

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-categories-flags-reminders-or-colors-a894348d-b308-4185-840f-aff63063d076

Userlevel 1

I understand.  The question is how to change to filter to “flagged” instead of “not flagged.”  I am sorry if I am not understanding.

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

In a Zap, you can add a Filter step as Step 2 in your Zap: https://zapier.com/apps/filter/help

 

Example filter for emails that contain a Flag Status != notFlagged

In Outlook, on the individual email you can change the Flag to selected as TRUE/FALSE.

Userlevel 1

I understand but my question remains how to change the Zapier filter for a flag being set.

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

The screenshot above shows the Filter logic for detecting an Outlook email that has Flagged = TRUE.

Flagged Status does not contain ‘notFlagged’ means Flagged Status is flagged (aka Flagged Status is TRUE).

You can’t set Flagged Status contains ‘Flagged’ because that would match for ‘Flagged’ AND ‘notFlagged’.

Userlevel 1

Here is a pdf screenshot of the setting.  I have tried different combinations but nothing seems to work --

 

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

 

These Filter settings will match for Outlook emails that are Flagged. (aka Flagged = TRUE)

 

These Filter settings will match for Outlook emails that are NOT Flagged. (aka Flagged = FALSE)

Userlevel 1

How do I change to “True”?

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

Are you trying to take action on the triggered Outlook email and change it from Flagged = FALSE to Flagged = TRUE?

If yes, then there is no available Outlook action available via Zapier to Update Email.

 

Userlevel 1

Thank you -- any suggestions how to “tag” those emails for which I would like to create Todoist tasks?

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd 

Wouldn’t the workflow be like this?

 

In Outlook you flag an email.

 

Zap triggers for Flagged email in Outlook, Zap creates Todoist Task.

Userlevel 1

That is exactly what I am trying to accomplish but without success.

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@gtd_nerd

The available Outlook triggers don’t include Updated Email, only New Email, which is likely why the emails you are flagging are not triggering the Zap because the event is happening after the email has hit your inbox.

My suggestion would be to use Gmail which has more triggers/actions available: https://zapier.com/apps/gmail/integrations#triggers-and-actions

 

Userlevel 1

Thank you