How to Create OR Conditions in Exchange Mail Flow Rules
Question details
The user needs to set up OR conditions for mail flow rules in the updated Exchange Admin Center but can only find options for adding AND conditions.
- Product
- Microsoft Exchange
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Configuring email routing and security policies in the Exchange Admin Center.
- Observed behavior
- The updated interface allows users to easily add AND conditions, but lacks a visible, separate option for creating OR conditions between different rule criteria.
Ensure you have Exchange administrator privileges to access, modify, and prioritize mail flow rules within the Exchange Admin Center.
Use Multiple Values within a Single Condition
Add multiple items (such as specific words, phrases, or email addresses) inside one condition, which Exchange automatically treats as an OR operation.
In the Exchange Admin Center, you do not need a dedicated 'OR' button if your alternatives belong to the same condition type. By simply adding multiple values to a single condition, the system evaluates them as alternatives.
Log into the Exchange Admin Center and navigate to the 'Mail flow' section, then select 'Rules'.
Click the '+' icon to create a new rule or select an existing rule and click 'Edit'.
Under the 'Apply this rule if' section, choose your desired condition (for example, 'The subject or body includes').
Enter your first word, phrase, or address into the value field and add it. Repeat this process for all alternative values. The rule will trigger if any one of these values is detected.
Create Separate Rules for Different Condition Types
When you need an OR logic between entirely different types of conditions, you must create individual rules for each condition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my multiple conditions act as an AND statement instead of OR?
In Exchange mail flow rules, adding multiple separate conditions automatically applies an AND operator. To use OR logic, you must either add multiple values inside a single condition or create entirely separate rules.
Can I use 'Stop processing more rules' with multiple OR rules?
Yes. When using separate rules to mimic an OR condition, checking 'Stop processing more rules' prevents subsequent rules from applying once the first matched rule executes its action.
Is there a specific OR button in the new Exchange Admin Center?
No, the updated Exchange Admin Center UX does not have a standalone 'OR' button for combining different conditions. You must rely on multiple values in one condition or configure multiple distinct rules.
