Table of Contents
- Automating Email Notifications in SharePoint (Create & Test a Rule)
- Send Email Alerts When an Associate Is Assigned in SharePoint
Automating Email Notifications in SharePoint (Create & Test a Rule)
In this section, youโll learn how to create a simple automation rule in SharePoint that sends an email whenever a new item is added to a list. This is especially useful for tracking new customers, support tickets, requests, or any important entries.
Instead of manually checking your list for updates, SharePoint can automatically notify you. ๐
๐ Why Use Automation Rules?
Automation rules in SharePoint help you:
- ๐ฉ Receive instant email notifications
- โณ Reduce manual follow-ups
- ๐ Stay informed about important changes
- โ๏ธ Turn rules on or off anytime
- ๐ Manage rules easily from one place
In this example, weโll set up a rule that sends an email whenever a new customer is added to a Customers list.
Video Explanation
๐ ๏ธ Create an Automation Rule (Item Created)
Automation rules are created directly from the list where you want the trigger to happen.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open your SharePoint list (e.g., Customers).
- At the top menu, click Automate.
- Select Rules from the dropdown.
- Click Create a rule.
You will see three rule options:
| Rule Type | When It Triggers |
|---|---|
| ๐ Item Created | When a new item is added |
| โ๏ธ Item Modified | When an existing item is changed |
| ๐ Item Deleted | When an item is removed |
- Choose Item Created.
- Select who should receive the notification (e.g., yourself or another team member).
- (Optional) Add a custom message.
- Click Create.
โ Your rule is now active.
Youโll see:
- A short description of the rule
- A toggle switch to turn it ON/OFF
- The ability to manage it later via Automate โ Manage Rules
This gives you full control over your notifications.
๐งช Test the Automation Rule
Now that the rule is created, letโs confirm it works.
Add a New Item
- Go to your list.
- Click Add New Item.
- Fill out all required fields.
- Click Save.
The moment you save the new entry, SharePoint triggers the rule.
๐ฌ Verify the Email Notification
- Open your Outlook (or email client).
- Check your inbox.
You should receive:
- A notification email
- Details about the newly created item
- A link to open the list item directly
๐ If the email arrives, your automation is working perfectly.
๐ Managing Your Rules Later
You can always:
- Edit the rule
- Disable it temporarily
- Delete it completely
To do this:
- Go to Automate โ Manage Rules
This makes it easy to adjust automation as your workflow evolves.
โ Quick Recap
- Automation rules help you stay updated automatically
- You can trigger notifications for created, modified, or deleted items
- Rules can be enabled, disabled, or edited anytime
- Testing confirms everything is working as expected
By using SharePoint automation rules, you make your lists smarter and your workflow more efficient. ๐
Send Email Alerts When an Associate Is Assigned in SharePoint
In this section, youโll learn how to automatically notify an employee when they are assigned to a customer in a SharePoint list. This is a practical real-world scenario where responsibility changes need to be communicated immediately.
Instead of manually informing associates when they are assigned to a customer, SharePoint can handle this automatically using built-in automation rules. ๐
๐ฏ Why This Rule Is Useful
When working with a Customers list, you may have a column called Associate (Person or Group type).
If someone changes the associate assigned to a customer:
- ๐ฉ The new associate needs to know immediately
- โณ You avoid delays in task ownership
- ๐ Responsibility transitions smoothly
- ๐ No one misses important assignments
This rule ensures that whenever the Associate field changes, the new associate receives an automatic email notification.
Video Explanation
๐ ๏ธ Create a Rule for โItem Modifiedโ (Associate Field Change)
To notify associates when they are assigned to a customer, we need to create a rule that triggers when the Associate column is modified.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open your SharePoint list (e.g., Customers).
- Click Automate in the top menu.
- Select Rules.
- Click Create a rule.
- Choose Item Modified.
You will now configure the condition.
โ๏ธ Configure the Trigger Condition
After selecting Item Modified, youโll be asked which column change should trigger the alert.
- Select the Associate column from the dropdown.
- Set the condition so that the rule triggers when:
- The Associate value changes (to any new value).
๐ก You do NOT need to specify a particular name.
The goal is to notify whoever becomes the new associate.
๐ฉ Configure the Email Notification
Next, set up who should receive the notification.
- Choose to notify the Associate column value (the new assigned person).
- Add a custom message if desired.
Example custom message:
“You have been reassigned to this customer.”
This makes the email clearer and more professional.
Finally:
- Click Create.
โ Your rule is now active.
๐งช Test the Rule
To confirm everything works:
- Open a customer item.
- Click Edit.
- Change the Associate field to another user.
- Click Save.
Now check the newly assigned associateโs email inbox.
๐ฌ They should receive:
- An email notification
- The name of the customer
- Your custom message
- A link to the list item
If the email arrives, your automation is working perfectly.
๐ What This Rule Achieves
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| Associate is reassigned | New associate gets notified |
| Responsibility changes | No manual follow-up needed |
| Customer ownership updates | Immediate awareness |
โ Quick Recap
- Use Item Modified rules for field change notifications
- Select the Associate column as the trigger
- Notify the new value (the new associate)
- Add a custom message for clarity
- Test by editing the list item
By using this automation, you ensure that team members are instantly informed when they are assigned new responsibilities โ improving accountability and workflow efficiency. ๐

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