Published form appears for one user, but not another for existing

[DougMunday]

We are using Outlook 2003 and Exchange Server 2003. We have created a custom
task form to be used in a public task type folder. When we modify the form
and republish it to the public folder, all users can see the new form when
they create a new task record. However, some users see the new form when
opening existing tasks, while other users see the default Outlook task form
when opening existing tasks. We have tried clearing the Form Cache, but no
affect. What can be preventing the new form from being used by all users for
existing records?

I have seen other articles refer to the book entitled Microsoft Outlook
Programming and the section "To change a default Outlook form". But I don't
understand why we are getting differing behavior between users?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Doug

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The first thing to do is to check the value of the Message Class property: Does it show your published form's class or IPM.Task?

The next thing to do is to make sure that you increment the version number on the (Properties) page whenever you publish a new version of the form. This is invaluable in troubleshooting, especially when the changes between versions are small.

Here's what I would try with the users who are having problems with the new version: Have them create a new item with the new form. Often, I find that doing that forces the cache to update where just opening an existing item doesn't.

There is also a registry value, ForceFormReload, that you can try. See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;839804

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

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

 

[DougMunday]

Sue, thanks for your response. You gave us enough hints to solve the
problem. For the benifit of others, I will try to explain in detail our
solution.

1. The single biggest hint was a link to this web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290657/ where it discussed one-off items
(items with the actual form definition saved as part of the record).

2. Runner up for best hint was to add two columns to the table view of the
folder, Message Class and Size. These can be found in the 'All Task Fields'
drop down in the Customize Current View/Fields dialog. Then you can see in
the Message Class field the form that your item is looking for. It's
amazing when you can SEE the mostly hidden details.

3. In our case we had some items that were one-offs (message class =
IPM.Task AND large file size) and some referring to an old form as well as
our new form name. Our solution -> Copy data from one-offs to new item
record, then delete one-off items, and publish our new form under the new
name AND the old name. Now everyone is happy.

Thanks for your help!

Doug