Add Categories Drop-Down to New Mail Form

[amit.vasu]

Hi

My client wants to add a category drop down to the new mail form in
outlook 2003. That category drop down should be optional. Once selected
mail should be moved to that category folder. If there is no foder for
that category then it should first create folder and then add mail to
the folder.

I have never done any outlook form customization. Can someone help me
with this? Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Best Regards

Amit

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

This functionality needs to be added with VBA code or an add-in, not in a custom form. Doing it in a custom form would just create problems for non-Outlook recipients -- as bad as their not being able to see any attachments.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[amit.vasu]

Hi Sue

Thanks for your quick reply.

I would appreciate if you could provide me some pointers/Sample as I
have never done this before.

Best Regards

Amit

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You might start with these pages:

http://www.outlookcode.com/d/vbabasics.htm
http://www.outlookcode.com/d/code/setsavefolder.htm

and also take a look at the Help topic for the Application.ItemSend event and MAPIFolder.Folders.Add method. What I'd envision is an ItemSend event handler that checks the categories set on the message and sets the storage folder to match (2nd URL above).

This VBA macro code pops up the Categories dialog for the currently displayed message:

Sub ShowCats()
Dim item As Object
Set item = Application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
item.ShowCategoriesDialog
Set item = Nothing
End Sub

You can add it to the toolbar to get at least a prototype going. But you really should consider building an add-in. See http://www.outlookcode.com/d/comaddins.htm

See how far you get and check back if you have questions.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

Hi Sue

Thanks for your quick reply.

I would appreciate if you could provide me some pointers/Sample as I
have never done this before.

This functionality needs to be added with VBA code or an add-in, not in a custom form. Doing it in a custom form would just create problems for non-Outlook recipients -- as bad as their not being able to see any attachments.

 

[amit.vasu]

Seems like I will have a busy weekend ahead.

That will definately help me get started.

Many thanks for your help, Sue

Best Regards

Amit