Some tips to keep in mind when programming in Outlook :   Return to List

1. Every item in Outlook uses a particular form to display its data. [You cannot build a
form from scratch - you must always start with one of the built-in forms or an existing
    Outlook item.] However, this is not a major handicap, since you can hide the default
    pages and display only custom pages that you yourself create.

2. A good programming technique is to create the form and underlying code using VBA (along
    with the VBE) - then convert the code to VBScript.

3. Whether you use VBA or VBScript somewhat depends on the task you're trying to perform:

4. Make something happen in response to something the user does with an Outlook item (modify
    an Outlook form with VBScript)

5. Write a macro that can be run from the Outlook toolbar (write a routine in VBA)

6. Make something happen when the user starts Outlook, switches to a different folder,
    or performs other actions that don't involve a particular Outlook item (write a
    routine in VBA)

7. Display status information as the User performs various Outlook tasks (create a form in
    VBA with a routine to show the status information)

8. Show additional information on an Outlook form (modify the Outlook form)

9. NOTE!! -- You cannot use VBA to put programming behind an Outlook form and distribute it
    to others! The programming language behind Outlook messages and other forms is VBScript;
    however, you can use Outlook's VBA environment to write and test the code you want to use
    in scripts, then convert the VBA to VBScript.

10. Outlook pages with captions shown in parentheses are hidden.

11. You can save a form in 3 ways:

12. As an item in an Outlook folder [not the recommended method - to easy to delete and misplace]

13. An an Outlook template file anywhere on your computer

14. Choose File | Save As | Save As Type (choose Outlook template (*.oft)) then provide a
    filename and location.

15. As a published Outlook form, either in a forms library or in a particular folder

16. There are 3 types of forms libraries available -
    1. Personal forms - A library of forms stored in your Personal folders or Exchange Server
     mailbox.
    2. Organization forms - A library of forms stored on the Exchange Server for group use. You
     need permission from the Exchange Server Administrator to publish to this library.
    3. Folder forms - A library of forms associated with a particular folder, either in your mailbox
     or Personal Folders or in a public folder on the Exchange Server. You must have folder
     owner permission to publish to a public folder.

17. NOTE!! -- Publishing a form is the only way that a form with code behind it will appear without
    the Enable Macros message popping up every time.

18. Remember that forms have properties - in addition to the more typical properties associated
    with controls.