# Auto-categorize Outlook emails into color categories: n8n workflow

> Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Outlook. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/auto-categorize-outlook-emails-into-color-categories (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [AI assistants](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=AI+assistants#library)

# Auto-categorize Outlook emails into color categories

Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Outlook. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 9 steps, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fauto-categorize-outlook-emails-into-color-categories)

**9 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Model 3 Logic 3 Service 2

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **When clicking ‘Execute workflow’** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **OpenAI Chat Model1** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 3 **Structured Output Parser** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 4 **Get Messages from Outlook** Microsoft Outlook *Service*
- 5 **Categorizing Agent** Agent *Model*
- 6 **Set Fields from Email** Set *Logic*
- 7 **Loop Over Items1** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 8 **Set Category and ID** Set *Logic*
- 9 **Update Category** Microsoft Outlook *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 9, 1 loop or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Outlook
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Outlook account, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 9 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 9 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fauto-categorize-outlook-emails-into-color-categories)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Outlook#library)

## Workflows like it

Also ai assistants, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AI-powered web form responder with OpenAI and Outlook** 8 steps · calls a model · Outlook, Twilio](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-powered-web-form-responder-with-openai-and-outlook)
- [**Automated email replies with OpenAI and Outlook** 11 steps · calls a model · Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-email-replies-with-openai-and-outlook)
- [**Receive daily market news from FT.com** 7 steps · calls a model · Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/receive-daily-market-news-from-ft-com)
- [**Outlook Client Email Sorting Agent with OpenAI** 12 steps · calls a model · Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/outlook-client-email-sorting-agent-with-openai)
- [**Rewrite legal time entry narratives with SharePoint** 13 steps · calls a model · Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/rewrite-legal-time-entry-narratives-with-sharepoint)
- [**Search Outlook emails with OpenAI** 13 steps · calls a model · Outlook](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/search-outlook-emails-with-openai)