I agree with Sue, you almost have to come up with your own programmed link
for any real use.
There is a Microsoft way to link contacts to an Access table...
To do this, open Access and create a new database. (or open an existing
database) Then click FILE -> GET EXTERNAL DATA -> LINK TABLES. When the
table selection window opens, change the FILES OF TYPE (bottom) to
"Outlook()". {You might also see "Exchange()" there too, but I have no idea
what this does - except crash your machine. :-( } In a minute or so an
Outlook Folder Selection window will open where you can select the MY
CONTACTS, or other CONTACT or PUBLIC CONTACT folder to link too, then click
OK. NOTE: Outlook must be your DEFAULT MAIL APPLICATION, and you CAN NOT
have Outlook Express or any other mail application opened when you create or
use the link.
WARNING!!
1. This is NOT a true database link! From what I've played with, when
opening or accessing this "linked" table, it is created from scratch each
time by enumerating all your contacts in Outlook - Each Time It Is
Opened/Accessed! This could result in performance issues.
2. You get just the field data, you don't get to see the unique ID number
outlook created for the contact, which Access uses to link its record to the
original contact in Outlook. In a multi-user environment linked to a
shared contacts folder you will also see changes the minute they are made.
(ex: If another user updates a contact, the record in Access is also
updated.) If you want any true ID number or link to another database - you
are on your own to create it in an external table. You can not add or
remove any fields in the link.
3. While this is an dirty and easy way to get your contact data from within
Access.... It is obviously NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT! As I discovered, in a
Multi-User shared contact database, (Contacts shared in a public exchange
folder.) if another user MOVES or DELETES a contact while my linked access
table is open... Bad - No, Very Bad things happen! Access starts
complaining that a link is broken. Multiple error boxes appear. Then...
Access basically dies. It ends in a ball of fire asking if you want to send
a copy of the error report to Microsoft. I am willing to bet this crash and
burn isn't limited to an Outlook multi-user contact folder link... If you
use your private My Contacts folder, don't make changes while the Access
table is open... Just to be safe!
If your application can survive these shortfalls, maybe the Access data link
is for you.
Jim ô¿ô
