Custom Subject field in Outlook 2003

[pmt82]

Hello,

I am currently creating a custom form that will be used for all users new
email messages in Outlook 2003. I’m pretty new to forms but willing to learn.

I wish to add two fields, a Job number field where the user must select a
job number from a drop down box which is updated through access/excel with
new job numbers as needed. Here comes the first question...

1. I have created a drop down box from the controls tool box and wish to add
a source from where this information is gathered from (spreadsheet or
database, prefer spreadsheet) which will be the job numbers. How can I do
this?

2. How can I get this field to merge with the Subject field when this email
is sent?
for example they write: "Design One - Building" in the subject field which
is then merged with the job name "4500 Big_Building" selected from the drop
down box which when it is received by the other person has a subject off
"Design One - Building: #4500 Big_Building".

The other field is a description field where it will have a description that
can be updated each time the message is sent/received during the
correspondence. Currently this is added to the form, however when I send it
it does not display on the receivers computer?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Is this message form for internal use only or will you be using it to generate messages to outside recipients? Is Exchange your mail server? Can you publish a form to the Organizational Forms library? Your answers will help determine whether a custom form or an Outlook add-in will be a better solution.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

 

[pmt82]

Hi Sue,
This will only be required for internal use, we use Exchange 2003, and yes I
can publish a form to the organizational forms library.
I have modified slightly what we need so that I now no longer need the
description field. So to clarify what we are after:
A Job drop down box as discussed above, where you must select a job number
before the email can be sent. And the subject field must be filled in. When
sending the job number will need to be merged with the subject field.
This will allow greater filing and retrieval.

Thanks again.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If you need to store the job number separately, then create a field, bind it to a combo box, which you can can fill with the job values.

Set validation on the Subject property using its control's Properties dialog.

FInally, use the Send event to combine the value in the combo box with the value in the Subject property. See http://www.outlookcode.com/d/propsyntax.htm if you aren't familiar with OUtlook property syntax.

Also, note, when posting in these forums, it helps if you include enough of the previous messages in the thread that we can remember what you were asking about.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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