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Status message generator

Ready-to-copy status messages for Microsoft Teams and Slack, plus an out-of-office auto-reply for email. Pick what you are doing and how you want to sound.

Tone

Status messages (Teams and Slack)

  • Focus time. I will reply to messages afterwards.

    48 / 100 characters

  • Heads down on deep work. Replies may be delayed.

    48 / 100 characters

  • In focus mode, checking messages periodically.

    46 / 100 characters

Out-of-office auto-reply (email)

Paste into Outlook or Gmail automatic replies

Everything runs in your browser from fixed templates. No AI, and nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.

What makes a good status message

  • Say what you are doing. "In meetings" or "Out sick" answers the first question people have.
  • Say when you will be back. A time or date stops people guessing and sending follow-ups.
  • Name a backup. For longer absences, one name for urgent things saves everyone a detour.
  • Keep it short. Status text shows up in small spaces, so the first few words matter most.

Tips for Microsoft Teams

A Teams status message has two settings worth knowing. Tick Show when people message me and people see your note when they message or @mention you. Use Clear status message after so it removes itself and you are not still "at lunch" at 5 PM (Microsoft Support: Set your status message).

Your presence (Available, Busy, Do not disturb and so on) can have a duration too: under Reset status after pick how long it should last, and Teams resets it afterwards based on your activity, calendar and computer state (Microsoft Support: Change your status in Microsoft Teams). Microsoft also notes that a Teams status message does not show your Outlook out-of-office reply, so set the email auto-reply separately.

Tips for Slack

In Slack, a status is a message plus an emoji that lets people know what you are up to. Choose a suggested status or write your own, pick an emoji, and set when it should be removed (Remove status after on desktop, Clear after on mobile). Slack also sets you to away after 10 minutes of desktop inactivity, separate from your custom status (Slack Help Center).

Curious when exactly Teams, Slack and Zoom flip you to Away? Try the free Teams Away timer.

FAQ

What is a good Teams status message?

Say what you are doing, when you will be back and who to contact if it is urgent. For example: "In meetings until 3:00 PM. Replies may be delayed. Urgent? Contact Sam." Short and specific beats clever.

Can a Teams status message expire on its own?

Yes. When you set a status message in Teams you can choose "Clear status message after" so it disappears automatically, and you can tick "Show when people message me" so people see it when they message you.

How do I set a Slack status that clears itself?

Enter a status, pick an emoji, and choose when it should be removed. Slack calls this "Remove status after" on desktop and "Clear after" on mobile.

Does a Teams status message replace my Outlook out-of-office reply?

No. Microsoft notes that if you have a status message set in Teams, it will not show your automatic out-of-office reply from Outlook. Set the email auto-reply separately.

Is anything I type sent anywhere?

No. The messages come from fixed templates that run in your browser. There are no AI calls, and nothing is stored or sent.