validate outlook contacts (custom forms) through excel

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

~Rama - 16 May 2006 00:12 GMT

I'm trying to find an ODBC to connect to outlook's database, and I dont
know where to start from.

I eventually would like to create a billing custom form in contacts,
and be able to validate user information as well as add new users from
excel, and add them to outlook.

Can you please direct me or explain at least a starting point ?? find
an ODBC to outlook?

~Rama

Reply to this Message

Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 16 May 2006 00:26 GMT

The customary way to handle validation for Outlook items would in the code behind the custom form.

Creating and updating items is done with the Outlook object model.

FYI, there is a newsgroup specifically for Outlook forms issues "down the hall" at microsoft.public.outlook.program_forms or, via web interface, at http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public
.outlook.program_forms

Signature

Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.turtleflock.com/olconfig/index.htm
and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx

> I'm trying to find an ODBC to connect to outlook's database, and I dont
> know where to start from.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> ~Rama

Reply to this Message

~Rama - 16 May 2006 02:18 GMT

Thanks a lot Sue! I checked that microsoft link, its very beneficial.In
addition, I've been into your outlookcode.com several times every day
to try to understand outlook ODBC first then move forward to the next
step with my project. But since i'm just a beginner, and having a hard
time getting a head start, or understand where does outlook's database
reside and how do I ODBC to it. are you aware of a link that guides me
a step by step method?

I greatly appreciate your support.

Reply to this Message

Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 16 May 2006 13:11 GMT

There is no "Outlook ODBC" per se. While it is possible to access Outlook folders through OLE DB (see http://www.codeproject.com/database/connectionstrings.asp#OLE%20DB%20Jet and http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsmart00/html/
sa00h12.asp), that technique will not expose all the properties and objects that you are likely to want to work with to create new items using custom forms. You should use direct Outlook automation methods instead.

Signature

> Thanks a lot Sue! I checked that microsoft link, its very beneficial.In
> addition, I've been into your outlookcode.com several times every day
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> I greatly appreciate your support.

Reply to this Message