Repeating section in a contact Form?

[bwbob]

Is it possible to create a repeating section in a custom contact form?
Specifically I would like to create an "open orders" page for each contact,
that could be sync'd with an access database. Since the number of records
would change everytime a "sync" occured, I would think I need something that
could expand as needed. I dont think I would want to have to create extra
custom fields via code to handle the extra lines of data. Some sort of
scrolling region or something like that.
Just guessing, but would a multi-column list box do the trick?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I've done it with a spreadsheet control, but that requires all users to have Excel and requires you to be able to publish the form to the Organizational Forms library, because it has a considerable code requirement. See http://www.outlookcode.com/d/spreadsheetcontrol.htm

A list box could also be an option, but again you'll have a big code requirement to get items into the list and save them to an Outlook property or properties so the information can be retrieved later.

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

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

 

[Hollis D. Paul]

Since the number of records
would change everytime a "sync" occured, I would think I need something that
could expand as needed. I dont think I would want to have to create extra
custom fields via code to handle the extra lines of data. Some sort of
scrolling region or something like that.
Just guessing, but would a multi-column list box do the trick?

You can use Paste Special to put a live Access dataset on a form. Do a search
at www.outlook-code.com or www.slipstick.com for an example.

Hollis D. Paul [MVP - Outlook]
Mukilteo, WA USA

 

[bwbob]

All users have Excel, but this would be for our "mobile" users with laptops.
The idea would be for them to log onto the system (We have Exchange) and sync
the data similar to downloading e-mails. Since all of their contacts are
stored on the server, the actual data would be sync'd there. From the
standpoint of the end user, all they would ever do would be 'read only'.
Security issues and IT limitations prevent us from syncing Access databases
on the laptops, and I am looking for a more automated solution than sending
each user an Excel sheet, and having them search for the info there. If the
sales orders are separated by customer, and they could just click on the
"open orders" page, I might be able to train them.
Perhaps a different solution based on VBA or Sharepoint would be easier.
Our main business software is SQL based, so I have lots of options, just
looking for easiest deployment and the least amount of training. Since
everyone in our system is on the same platform, OS, SP's, etc, Outlook and
Exchange work well for us.