Unable to build custom fields

[DougEvans]

I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?

Thanks

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Give us a clue to what your unsuccessful formula looks like.

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

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

 

[DougEvans]

I'm not having trouble with the formula iteself. My problem is I am having
problems building a custom field, to apply a formula. thanks

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Thanks for the clarification, but we still can't help you without details, starting with the name you're trying to use for the new field and what kind of form (Message, Contact, etc.) you're trying to create.

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

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

 

[condorandme]

I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"

This is not a suitable formula for a combination field. The only thing allowed in a combination field are the names of fields. If what you want is text, then you must use a regular formula field and concantenate the static text with the name of any field you want to include, e.g.:

"Support Calls for " & [Sent]

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

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

I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.

 

[condorandme]

Thanks for the info, which will solve the formula piece. Unfortunatly
Outlook is not allowing me to create "any" type of custom fields on a
message form. Outlook crashes as I stated in the previous post.
Thanks again for your time and assistance.

Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"

This is not a suitable formula for a combination field. The only thing allowed in a combination field are the names of fields. If what you want is text, then you must use a regular formula field and concantenate the static text with the name of any field you want to include, e.g.:

"Support Calls for " & [Sent]

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

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

I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.

I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What happens if you use a different field name in the New dialog, as in Step 5 below?

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

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

Thanks for the info, which will solve the formula piece. Unfortunatly
Outlook is not allowing me to create "any" type of custom fields on a
message form. Outlook crashes as I stated in the previous post.
Thanks again for your time and assistance.

I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.


I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?

 

[condorandme]

Any name will crash the application if I create inside the form.
If I try to create a new field via the Field Chooser (outside a form)
does it act like its creating the custom field. but the new field is
not available anywhere. If I'm in the Field Chooser and I type in a
name I have previously tried it acts like that name already exists.
This leads to believe Outlook is creating the field, but not displaying
them as selectable fields in the Field Chooser.

What happens if you use a different field name in the New dialog, as in Step 5 below?

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

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

Thanks for the info, which will solve the formula piece. Unfortunatly
Outlook is not allowing me to create "any" type of custom fields on a
message form. Outlook crashes as I stated in the previous post.
Thanks again for your time and assistance.

I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.


I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

This sounds like there are serious problems with the application. Your first repair step should be to run Help | Detect and Repair.

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

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

Any name will crash the application if I create inside the form.
If I try to create a new field via the Field Chooser (outside a form)
does it act like its creating the custom field. but the new field is
not available anywhere. If I'm in the Field Chooser and I type in a
name I have previously tried it acts like that name already exists.
This leads to believe Outlook is creating the field, but not displaying
them as selectable fields in the Field Chooser.

What happens if you use a different field name in the New dialog, as in Step 5 below?

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

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

Thanks for the info, which will solve the formula piece. Unfortunatly
Outlook is not allowing me to create "any" type of custom fields on a
message form. Outlook crashes as I stated in the previous post.
Thanks again for your time and assistance.


I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.


I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?

 

[condorandme]

Unfortunatly, that didn't work. I'll try to find some relavent support
issues on msdn.

This sounds like there are serious problems with the application. Your first repair step should be to run Help | Detect and Repair.

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

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

Any name will crash the application if I create inside the form.
If I try to create a new field via the Field Chooser (outside a form)
does it act like its creating the custom field. but the new field is
not available anywhere. If I'm in the Field Chooser and I type in a
name I have previously tried it acts like that name already exists.
This leads to believe Outlook is creating the field, but not displaying
them as selectable fields in the Field Chooser.

What happens if you use a different field name in the New dialog, as in Step 5 below?

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

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


Thanks for the info, which will solve the formula piece. Unfortunatly
Outlook is not allowing me to create "any" type of custom fields on a
message form. Outlook crashes as I stated in the previous post.
Thanks again for your time and assistance.


I'm trying to build a Message form using one of the Standard Templates.
Walking through my steps might clarify things.

1. I go to Tools > Forms > Design Form
2. Select "Message" from the 'Standard Forms Library' - this opens the
message form in design mode as expected.
3. In this example I just want to add a combination field to the form,
from to control tool box I select "TextBox". I then draw the text box
on the form
4. Next I go to properties to select the type of field. I
'right-click' on the text box and select Properties. By default there
is no field selected, and I want this to be a custom field so I choose
New.
5. The New field box comes up and I type in the following in
appropriate fields
Name: txtCalls
Type: combination
Formula: "Support Calls for [Sent]"
Click "OK"

At this point Outlook 2003 crashes then reopens

I have tried applying this to other form types without any problem.
If I go straight to the field chooser to create a custom field it
allows me to fill in the 'New field box", but nothing displays in the
"user defined fields for Inbox", but the delete key is now activated.
If I try this with a name I have already tried I tells me that name
already exists in the "user-defined fields for Inbox". I have to think
somthing on the message template has become corupt. Thanks again for
any assisitance or direction.


I am trying to build a combination field, on a message form, but having
troubles.

I am receiving a message stating, "A field with this name already exists in
the "User-defined fields in Inbox" field set. Enter a different name."

Nothing is listed in the "User-defined fields for Inbox". I can create a
custom field with a name I have never choses, but doesn't show up anywhere to
add it to a form. Is there any way to reset this, or get all the previous
attempts to list so I can delete them?