Microsoft 365 alias setup

Route a specific email alias from your Microsoft 365 inbox to Commslayer while keeping your other aliases in Outlook.

Time required: 15–20 minutes

When you need this

This setup is for you if:

• You have a Microsoft 365 (Outlook) inbox with multiple aliases (e.g., support@, info@, sales@yourstore.com)
• You want only one alias (like support@yourstore.com) to go to Commslayer
• Your other aliases should stay in Outlook as usual

Before you start

You'll need:

• A Microsoft 365 account with aliases configured
• Access to your domain's DNS settings
• An email address on your domain (like support@yourstore.com) with a mailbox you can forward from — not a free @outlook.com or @hotmail.com address

Step 1: Create your inbox in Commslayer

1. Go to Settings → Inboxes and click Add inbox
2. Select Email
3. Choose Standard setup (the recommended option)
4. Enter your alias email address (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
5. Give your inbox a name (e.g., "Support")
6. Click Create inbox

Step 2: Add DNS records

Commslayer will show you two DNS records to add. These let you send emails from your alias.

Add the DKIM record

1. Log in to your domain registrar (or Microsoft 365 admin center if your DNS is hosted there)
2. Find DNS settings
3. Add a new TXT record:
   • Name/Host: Copy from Commslayer (looks like xxxxxxxx._domainkey)
   • Value: Copy the long string from Commslayer
4. Save the record

Add the Return-Path record

1. Add a new CNAME record:
   • Name/Host: Copy from Commslayer (looks like pm-bounces)
   • Value: Copy from Commslayer
2. Save the record

Click Verify in Commslayer. This usually takes a few minutes.

Step 3: Set up Outlook forwarding

First, add Commslayer as a forwarding address in Outlook:

1. Sign in to outlook.office.com
2. Click the gear icon → View all Outlook settings
3. Go to Mail → Forwarding
4. Do not enable the global forwarding option here — we'll use a rule instead (see Step 4)
5. Copy the forwarding address shown in Commslayer — you'll need it for the rule below

Step 4: Create a rule for your alias

This rule ensures only emails sent to your support alias are forwarded to Commslayer. Your other aliases stay in Outlook.

1. In Outlook settings, go to Mail → Rules
2. Click Add new rule
3. Give your rule a name (e.g., "Forward support alias to Commslayer")
4. Under Add a condition, select To and enter your alias (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
5. Under Add an action, select Forward to and paste your Commslayer forwarding address
6. Optionally add a second action: Move to → a separate folder (so these emails don't clutter your inbox)
7. Click Save

Note: If you manage multiple mailboxes via Microsoft 365 admin, you can also set this up as a mail flow rule (transport rule) in the Exchange admin center under Mail flow → Rules. This is useful if the alias is a shared mailbox rather than an alias on a personal account.

Step 5: Test your setup

Send a test email to your alias from a different email account. It should appear in your Commslayer inbox within a few minutes.

Emails to your other aliases will continue arriving in Outlook as usual.

Common issues

Forwarding not working

Double-check that your Outlook rule is enabled and that the To condition exactly matches your alias address.

Emails to other aliases also going to Commslayer

Review your rule — make sure the To condition specifies only your support alias, not a broader condition like "any recipient."

Rule not appearing in Outlook settings

Some Microsoft 365 configurations require rules to be set via the Exchange admin center instead of the standard Outlook web interface. Contact your IT admin if you don't see the Rules option.

DNS records not verifying

• Wait up to 48 hours for propagation
• Check whatsmydns.net to see propagation status
• If DNS is managed via Microsoft 365 admin, make sure you're editing records under Settings → Domains → [your domain] → DNS records

Need help?

Contact us at karri@commslayer.com if you get stuck.