Displaying Outlook custom forms

[Ian]

I have created published a custom form in Outlook. All machines are running
2003 SP2 on XP Pro Individual machines. No Exchange or server.

When I send the form some recipients can view the form (When Opened) some
can not.
The form has been shared to all PC's and if sent from that second machine
the form can be viewed to edit and then opened by the first PC but not on the
second machine.
Two machines send and receive and open the form - the other two will open
and send but can not open a form emailed to them. I can not find the link.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What do you mean by "shared to all PCs"? Outlook has no concept of such form sharing. For a form to be fully functional, it needs to be published in a location where all users will have access to the published form definition.

Are users emailing a form or an item created with a custom form? The form is the UI/code template. It contains no data. That's the item's job -- to store the data.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

 

[Ian]

Thank you for your prompt response - this is terribly frustrating!

Sorry, my lack of knowledge shows...

I created a custom form on one machine. (inc send form defintion with item)
Tested on that machine emailed out and back to the same machine - No probs
Emailed to the other machines. Two could open it two could not. (obe was the
sending machine)
Saved it as an ".fdm
Copied to the other machines,
installed and published the form on each of four machines using form manager.
tools/options/other/advanced/custom forms/manage forms etc
That part appeers to work OK.
Each machine can open the form in design moded, publish, "run the form" and
open edit and send them OK
If received on two machines the form is visible when the email is opened no
problems. Can't print it but I will get to that issue

The other machines receive the email but on opening - the form is not
displayed - just a blank message area.
I have tried changing to 'send using rich text'
If I send the same form, two can open - two cant. I have not expanded my
test beyond that yet

To the best of my knowledge each machine has the same software build 2003
SP2 over XPro

It appears to be an issue with not being able to display the form, and would
appreciate some ideas on what may be possible reasons for this.

Thanks

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

inc send form defintion with item

Using that option pretty much guarantees that the form will not function as you designed it. The article at http://support.microsoft.com/?id=907985 explains this issue in more detail, suggests best practices, and provides registry keys that can return Outlook 2003 to the older, less secure behavior.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

 

[Ian]

Thankyou for you patience.
The recomendation and process for using *.fmd forms came from elswhere on
the microsoft site.
Clearly the complaxity of reliably using forms in outlook is above the mere
mortal who does not have extensive vb skills.
In lieu of a plain english step by step that works I will have to abandon
the project and seek another product
None of this still explains why it works on some machines and not others

Does Outlook 07 solve these problems.

Thanks

****

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Using .fdm files to distribute forms is fine. It's checking the "Send form definition with item" box on the form that's causing the behavior that you're seeing. Did you read the article I suggested.

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

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