Batch or API way of setting mail rules?

[2G]

I need to create/manage a large number of mail rules. The GUI is cumbersome
and very time-consuming, at best. Is there a simple batch command line, or
API way to manage mail rules? Any examples?

Thx

2G

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Not really. There is a Rule.dll COM component, but it has some significant limitations. See http://www.outlookcode.com/d/exstech.htm

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

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

 

[2G]

Thanks. I see the Rule.dll. But I don't really see any discussion about
limitations. All I want to do is route mail to folders based on strings in
the from addr. Pretty
basic. Where are the limitations explained?

Also, I'm an experienced programmer. But I don't have alot of experience
with Microsoft specific (VB, etc.). If I wanted to compile and run that
sample on the Rule.dll page, do I need to purchase a compiler and/or runtime
environment? In other words, briefly, what is the dev process for making
this work?

Thanks.

2G

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If you tried it, you'd find that you can't set any client-side rule actions or conditions and that the rules it creates don't appear in the Rules Wizard, leading to potential support problems as users inquire why messages are moving mysteriously.

The dev process would be to download a compiled version of Rule.dll (or compile your own from the C++ source) and then write a script using the Rule.dll component and CDO 1.21 (an optional Outlook component). A quick Google search should turn up more information about this old component.

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

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

 

[2G]

Well, yuck... Thanks for the info. One last thing just out of curiosity...
am I the first person that thinks this is a serious omission from a
professional-level product? Or is it hot on the radar and a continual source
of complaint? Any projections if/when there might be support for batch rules?

Thanks again.

2G