Have replies sent to

[An Chi]

Hi All,

I'm fairly new to outlook form customisation so please feel free to refer to
me some reading materials.

outlook version: Outlook 2003 SP2

goal: to programmatically change the "Have replies sent to" option for a
customised form in script editor for the form (Form -> view code section).

I've seen a lot of sample codes that seem to create macro for outlook
client. However, I'd prefer to just embed the code into a specific form, ie
in form code. Or am I confusing something fundamental here?

Thanks

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What you may have missed is that, in general, custom message forms with script behind them are not a good idea, unless you're using them strictly internally. See http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=61 for details on the issues involved.

Before you get too far down the custom form road, why don't you explain just what you're trying to accomplish? There may be a better solution.

 

[An Chi]

Thanks for your reply Sue.

-----------------------------------------
SentOnBehalfOfName Approach:
-----------------------------------------
I've actually tried setting SentOnBehalfOfName in Item_Open() but the
replies were still going to the original sender.

This is probably due to either:
1. the SentOnBehalfOfName was set to an external email address? (less likely?)
2. the Outlook Add-In installed on my clients' Outlook that uses a
customised send() for all customised forms?

I was told the customised send() is required because all outlook customised
forms:
1. do not display on preview panel, and
2. do not print as displayed.

Are these true? If so, are there more elegant workarounds for these problems?
This client of mine have always had lots of trouble creating even relatively
simple outlook forms.
Unfortunately I don't have enough outlook experience to help them out but am
willing to read up whatever is available.


-----------------------------------------
What I'm trying to achieve:
-----------------------------------------
Just want to express my appreciation that you are actualy willing to discuss
what exactly I'm trying to achieve here.
Because you are right, I have a feeling I'm on the wrong track.

The process I'm after:
Person A sends a customised form (and specifies who Person C and D are) to
person B.
Person B approves/rejects the form and when click 'reply' sends it to person
C and D.
Person C and D receives the form (including the approval status) and forward
it to external parties

We are happy to make comprises as long as people can preview/print the form
as expected and the solution is easy to publish across the firm.

If custom script behind is not the norm, should I be reading up on
macros/add-in?




Thank you
An Chi

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Comments inline.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54

-----------------------------------------
SentOnBehalfOfName Approach:
-----------------------------------------
I've actually tried setting SentOnBehalfOfName in Item_Open() but the
replies were still going to the original sender.

This is probably due to either:
1. the SentOnBehalfOfName was set to an external email address? (less likely?)

Not recommended. SentOnBehalfOfName is designed to facilitate sending as another Exchange user.

2. the Outlook Add-In installed on my clients' Outlook that uses a
customised send() for all customised forms?

Impossible to say, not knowing what the add-in actually does.

If your primary goal is to control who replies are sent to, use the ReplyRecipients collection.

I was told the customised send() is required because all outlook customised
forms:
1. do not display on preview panel, and

True, only if the custom form contains code behind it. Again, we don't know what the add-in is doing, though.

2. do not print as displayed.

True, and an add-in is the best solution.

-----------------------------------------
What I'm trying to achieve:
-----------------------------------------
Just want to express my appreciation that you are actualy willing to discuss
what exactly I'm trying to achieve here.
Because you are right, I have a feeling I'm on the wrong track.

The process I'm after:
Person A sends a customised form (and specifies who Person C and D are) to
person B.
Person B approves/rejects the form and when click 'reply' sends it to person
C and D.
Person C and D receives the form (including the approval status) and forward
it to external parties

As the page I suggested earlier makes clear, this is going to be possible only if the form can be published to the Organizational Forms library or each user's Personal Forms library. Furthermore, sending a message that uses a custom form to external parties is generally a bad idea, because it may cause problems with attachments.

We are happy to make comprises as long as people can preview/print the form
as expected and the solution is easy to publish across the firm.

If custom script behind is not the norm, should I be reading up on
macros/add-in?

Macros are not a viable solution. An add-in could do it.



What you may have missed is that, in general, custom message forms with script behind them are not a good idea, unless you're using them strictly internally. See http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=61 for details on the issues involved.

Before you get too far down the custom form road, why don't you explain just what you're trying to accomplish? There may be a better solution.

 

[An Chi]

Thanks again Sue.

In this case I'll look further into Add-Ins.

With add-ins, which is the more common approach:
- one add-in to control all customised forms, or
- one add-in for each customised form?

Thanks
An Chi

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Since no add-in can anticipate the customized behavior of all custom forms, an add-in's operation is usually confined to working with forms for a particular application. In other words, the custom forms and the add-in work together. A good example of this is Microsoft Business Contact Manager.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54