Outlook 2003 -Forms -Preview Pane...

[Margaret Foster]

I have created a custom form in Outlook 2003. I got the form to display how
i want in the design mode as well as the reading mode. There is a customized
subject line, and I figured out how to display it in the folder along with
the sender's name. What I can't figure out is how to have the form display
in the preview pane. All that displays in the pane when the form is sent is
my signature at the time of form creation. This form is supposed to be used
by multiple users, so it would be immensely helpful if I could figure out a
way to have the "Reading mode" version of the form display in the preview
pane. Is there a way?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Outlook cannot display a custom form in the reading pane. All it can display there is the message body (which is where your signature is coming from) and other "header" properties.

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

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

 

[Curtiss]

Hello Sue.I'm having the same issue as the previous poster. After reading
your reponse, is there a way to setup the form so a message will appear in
the reading pane that would tell the user to double click on message in order
view the form? Thanks.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You'd need to put that message into the Subject of the message, which is the only field you can almost guarantee the user will see.

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

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

 

[Margaret Foster]

Also, I figured a sketchy workaround to the reading pane issue. I set my
signature to say "Please double click the message to view this form" BEFORE
creating my form. Once that was created I changed my signature back to
normal. Now whenever that form is sent/received the reading pane will say my
signature from the creation time, namely the message above. I stumbled
across this when my old signature was in the reading pane for the form
regardless of who on the network sent it. It takes a few extra minutes to
recreate your form while the custom signature is activated, but its pretty
helpful.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Note that this method works only if there is no code behind the form.

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

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