Task Form Desigining

[Muneeb]

Hi all!

I want to create a Form (say leave application form) and post it to the Task
Folder of the recipients. This is kind of workflow I want to manage.
Following is the criteria:
• The form is created in having Task as the base form
• Applicant fills the forms
• Selects the recipients using To button and/or fills out the address of the
immediate boss
• Sends the mail
• Now boss receives the mail as his Tasks (or may be in email)
• After double clicking the message, the boss views the Form and fills out
some required fields
• Then sends it to the HR department (or some person in the hierarchy)
• HR department approves the Form
• The Task in the Task List of all persons is marked as Completed

I would appreciate if someone can help me in reaching to the solution. I
have gone through many sites and concluded the following:
• Visual Studio .Net COM Add in
o create a COM Add in, using VS2003.Net and provide users with the
functionality of receiving emails
o sending the forms as attachment to the mail
o updating the tasks manually using code
• Outlook VBA
o Creating the Forms in Outlook
o Manipulating the objects (text boxes, buttons etc) using VBA
 The problem is controls are not finely controlled using VBA in this case





Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.

I would probably handle this with:

a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)

b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information (including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss to HR and pick up other information along the way

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms at each stage in the process

d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to launch the form described in (a)

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.

 

[Muneeb]

Thanx for the prompt reply. Following please find my understanding regarding
ur suggestions, please correct me if I am wrong and explain the process…
Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.
[I have to forget the Task Form things and code using VS.Net2003]
I would probably handle this with:
a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task
and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but
task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)
[a separate add in to handle the task form scenario and providing users with
the facility to fill in the form and email it to others. Others may also edit
the forms (at least some of the fields) and reply/forward to other person in
the hierarchy]
b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information
(including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss
to HR and pick up other information along the way
[please explain it I could not understand how to do this. But I think this
might work in my process]

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms
at each stage in the process
d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to
launch the form described in (a)
[yup I have created this using MSDN, I am sure that I can do this again]

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
[Thanks for your concern]

--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

 

[Muneeb]

Adding to my previous post i would like to know if i can integrate/call
InfoPath Forms, from within Outlook XP/2003 and use these forms instead of
Outlook Task From (customized)? if there is any way and is better then the
way we are discussining then please lemme know and explain it.
Thanx again
--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Thanx for the prompt reply. Following please find my understanding regarding
ur suggestions, please correct me if I am wrong and explain the process…
Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.
[I have to forget the Task Form things and code using VS.Net2003]
I would probably handle this with:
a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task
and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but
task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)
[a separate add in to handle the task form scenario and providing users with
the facility to fill in the form and email it to others. Others may also edit
the forms (at least some of the fields) and reply/forward to other person in
the hierarchy]
b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information
(including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss
to HR and pick up other information along the way
[please explain it I could not understand how to do this. But I think this
might work in my process]

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms
at each stage in the process
d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to
launch the form described in (a)
[yup I have created this using MSDN, I am sure that I can do this again]

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
[Thanks for your concern]

--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.

I would probably handle this with:

a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)

b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information (including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss to HR and pick up other information along the way

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms at each stage in the process

d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to launch the form described in (a)

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Pseudocode:

1. User opens message from Inbox (triggers NewInspector event)

2. Check MessageClass property.

3. If it's the class of your published custom "task transmittal" form, continue. Otherwise, ignore.

4. Check the property on the form that carries information about the item's state, in other words, what stage it is at in the current workflow. (You have to decide what state information to store and in what property.)

5. Perform the appropriate processing of the item, depending on its state, updating the local user's copy of the task as required.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

Thanx for the prompt reply. Following please find my understanding regarding
ur suggestions, please correct me if I am wrong and explain the process…
Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.
[I have to forget the Task Form things and code using VS.Net2003]
I would probably handle this with:
a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task
and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but
task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)
[a separate add in to handle the task form scenario and providing users with
the facility to fill in the form and email it to others. Others may also edit
the forms (at least some of the fields) and reply/forward to other person in
the hierarchy]
b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information
(including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss
to HR and pick up other information along the way
[please explain it I could not understand how to do this. But I think this
might work in my process]

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms
at each stage in the process
d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to
launch the form described in (a)
[yup I have created this using MSDN, I am sure that I can do this again]

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
[Thanks for your concern]

--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.

I would probably handle this with:

a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)

b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information (including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss to HR and pick up other information along the way

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms at each stage in the process

d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to launch the form described in (a)

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

My understanding is that SP1 for InfoPath has some email integration, but that integration is not at all related to custom Outlook forms.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

Adding to my previous post i would like to know if i can integrate/call
InfoPath Forms, from within Outlook XP/2003 and use these forms instead of
Outlook Task From (customized)? if there is any way and is better then the
way we are discussining then please lemme know and explain it.
Thanx again
--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Thanx for the prompt reply. Following please find my understanding regarding
ur suggestions, please correct me if I am wrong and explain the process…
Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.
[I have to forget the Task Form things and code using VS.Net2003]
I would probably handle this with:
a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task
and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but
task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)
[a separate add in to handle the task form scenario and providing users with
the facility to fill in the form and email it to others. Others may also edit
the forms (at least some of the fields) and reply/forward to other person in
the hierarchy]
b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information
(including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss
to HR and pick up other information along the way
[please explain it I could not understand how to do this. But I think this
might work in my process]

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms
at each stage in the process
d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to
launch the form described in (a)
[yup I have created this using MSDN, I am sure that I can do this again]

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
[Thanks for your concern]

--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.

I would probably handle this with:

a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)

b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information (including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss to HR and pick up other information along the way

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms at each stage in the process

d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to launch the form described in (a)

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers



Hi all!

I want to create a Form (say leave application form) and post it to the Task
Folder of the recipients. This is kind of workflow I want to manage.
Following is the criteria:
• The form is created in having Task as the base form
• Applicant fills the forms
• Selects the recipients using To button and/or fills out the address of the
immediate boss
• Sends the mail
• Now boss receives the mail as his Tasks (or may be in email)
• After double clicking the message, the boss views the Form and fills out
some required fields
• Then sends it to the HR department (or some person in the hierarchy)
• HR department approves the Form
• The Task in the Task List of all persons is marked as Completed

I would appreciate if someone can help me in reaching to the solution. I
have gone through many sites and concluded the following:
• Visual Studio .Net COM Add in
o create a COM Add in, using VS2003.Net and provide users with the
functionality of receiving emails
o sending the forms as attachment to the mail
o updating the tasks manually using code
• Outlook VBA
o Creating the Forms in Outlook
o Manipulating the objects (text boxes, buttons etc) using VBA
 The problem is controls are not finely controlled using VBA in this case





Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

 

[Muneeb]

Hi again!
This is to thank you for providing me your time. after showing your comments
my customer was agreed to discuss SRS and probably he be going for a simple
Task Form association with email.. I'll update my experience on the forum,
and if i need help i'll ask you people for that.

thanx again and regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Pseudocode:

1. User opens message from Inbox (triggers NewInspector event)

2. Check MessageClass property.

3. If it's the class of your published custom "task transmittal" form, continue. Otherwise, ignore.

4. Check the property on the form that carries information about the item's state, in other words, what stage it is at in the current workflow. (You have to decide what state information to store and in what property.)

5. Perform the appropriate processing of the item, depending on its state, updating the local user's copy of the task as required.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

Thanx for the prompt reply. Following please find my understanding regarding
ur suggestions, please correct me if I am wrong and explain the process…
Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.
[I have to forget the Task Form things and code using VS.Net2003]
I would probably handle this with:
a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task
and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but
task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)
[a separate add in to handle the task form scenario and providing users with
the facility to fill in the form and email it to others. Others may also edit
the forms (at least some of the fields) and reply/forward to other person in
the hierarchy]
b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information
(including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss
to HR and pick up other information along the way
[please explain it I could not understand how to do this. But I think this
might work in my process]

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms
at each stage in the process
d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to
launch the form described in (a)
[yup I have created this using MSDN, I am sure that I can do this again]

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
[Thanks for your concern]

--
Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

Outlook VBA would not be involved at all.

I would probably handle this with:

a) a Windows form in the add-in to capture the initial data, create the task and kick off the work flow (might also be done with a custom task form, but task forms can be quirky -- you can't override some of the default behaviors)

b) one or more custom message forms to transfer the task information (including the workflow state of the current item) from originator to boss to HR and pick up other information along the way

c) code in the add-in to process the information in the custom message forms at each stage in the process

d) Code in the add-in to create the toolbar button that allows the user to launch the form described in (a)

Let us know if you have specific questions related to any of the above.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers



Hi all!

I want to create a Form (say leave application form) and post it to the Task
Folder of the recipients. This is kind of workflow I want to manage.
Following is the criteria:
• The form is created in having Task as the base form
• Applicant fills the forms
• Selects the recipients using To button and/or fills out the address of the
immediate boss
• Sends the mail
• Now boss receives the mail as his Tasks (or may be in email)
• After double clicking the message, the boss views the Form and fills out
some required fields
• Then sends it to the HR department (or some person in the hierarchy)
• HR department approves the Form
• The Task in the Task List of all persons is marked as Completed

I would appreciate if someone can help me in reaching to the solution. I
have gone through many sites and concluded the following:
• Visual Studio .Net COM Add in
o create a COM Add in, using VS2003.Net and provide users with the
functionality of receiving emails
o sending the forms as attachment to the mail
o updating the tasks manually using code
• Outlook VBA
o Creating the Forms in Outlook
o Manipulating the objects (text boxes, buttons etc) using VBA
 The problem is controls are not finely controlled using VBA in this case





Regards!
Muneeb R. Baig

still learning the basics

 

[muneeb_baig]

Hi Again!
After your suggestions and approval with my client, I have created
Demo Form for Travel Request, the form does the following:
• Applicant Chooses the Form, Fills out his travel request and sends i
to the Head of the Dept
• HOD will recommend it and send it to Admin HR
• Admin HR will approve it and fills out the travel arrangemen
details
Now it’s done but still more to go…
I want users to select the form from Tasks Pane i.e. I want my form t
be appeared in the Tasks Pane of the Outlook or in some separat
Folder, would you please help me in this regard?

Well! i have gone thorough MSDN and found the following topic
How do I deploy a custom solution?
I performed the steps but when i compose mail (assign task) and sen
it, there appears a dialog box saying "The Task Folder could not b
found" and the mail is not sent.

Thanks for your time

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What steps did you perform? Is there a particular reason why you're using a task form (which is notoriously quirky) instead of a message form?

See http://www.outlookcode.com/d/launchform.htm for various ways to make it easy for users to launch a custom form.

 

[muneeb_baig]

Howdy Musher!
Following please find my reply:
< Is there a particular reason why you're using a task form (which i
notoriously quirky) instead of a message form? >
Since I want to track the Requests using Tasks so to enable applican
as well as others in the approval chain to track the completion an
status of the Form. I am using PercentComplete property to track thi
and setting this on each approval.

<What steps did you perform?>
Created a New .PST file
Added it to the Outlook Data File
Created a New Folder in the Data File with “Folder contains:” = Tas
Items Named DTR
Now published my form in DTR and setting the Default form to it

After that when I create New Task in the DTR and send it, it raises th
error “The Task Folder could not be found.”

Please guide me if I am wrong, or suggest me some better way. If yo
are interested and forum permits me, I can show you the screen shot
and code snippet.

Thanx again for the reply and best regards,
Muneeb

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I suspect that the problem is that task requests are designed to be used only for tasks created in a user's default Tasks folder. The more usual approach is to use a message form with custom actions. Note, though, that a form published to a folder in a .pst file will be available only to that user. Unless you are able to publish a form to the Organizational Forms library or to each user's Personal Forms library, you probably should not be using an Outlook form for this application (or at the very least, will be unable to add any functionality that involves code behind the form).