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MS Office Forum / Outlook / Programming Forms / October 2004

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connecting outlook to a database

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mike - 30 Sep 2004 22:00 GMT
what steps do I take to ensure that the code that I put
into outlook will translate to the desired database.  In
other words what on my computer do I need to edit before I
can successfully make a connection?  I am running outlook
2000 and windows 2000
Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 30 Sep 2004 22:35 GMT
In general, you need to write code that uses a connection string appropriate
for the database library (DAO or ADO) and your database.

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

> what steps do I take to ensure that the code that I put
> into outlook will translate to the desired database.  In
> other words what on my computer do I need to edit before I
> can successfully make a connection?  I am running outlook
> 2000 and windows 2000
Jim Frankland - 01 Oct 2004 04:52 GMT
I agree with Sue, you almost have to come up with your own programmed link
for any real use.

There is a Microsoft way to link contacts to an Access table...

To do this, open Access and create a new database. (or open an existing
database)  Then click FILE -> GET EXTERNAL DATA -> LINK TABLES.   When the
table selection window opens, change the FILES OF TYPE (bottom) to
"Outlook()".  {You might also see "Exchange()" there too, but I have no idea
what this does - except crash your machine.  :-( }  In a minute or so an
Outlook Folder Selection window will open where you can select the MY
CONTACTS, or other CONTACT or PUBLIC CONTACT folder to link too, then click
OK.  NOTE:  Outlook must be your DEFAULT MAIL APPLICATION, and you CAN NOT
have Outlook Express or any other mail application opened when you create or
use the link.

WARNING!!
1. This is NOT a true database link!   From what I've played with, when
opening or accessing this "linked" table, it is created from scratch each
time by enumerating all your contacts in Outlook - Each Time It Is
Opened/Accessed!  This could result in performance issues.

2. You get just the field data, you don't get to see the unique ID number
outlook created for the contact, which Access uses to link its record to the
original contact in Outlook.   In a multi-user environment linked to a
shared contacts folder you will also see changes the minute they are made.
(ex: If another user updates a contact, the record in Access is also
updated.)   If you want any true ID number or link to another database - you
are on your own to create it in an external table.  You can not add or
remove any fields in the link.

3. While this is an dirty and easy way to get your contact data from within
Access....  It is obviously NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT!  As I discovered, in a
Multi-User shared contact database, (Contacts shared in a public exchange
folder.) if another user MOVES or DELETES a contact while my linked access
table is open...  Bad - No, Very Bad things happen!  Access starts
complaining that a link is broken.  Multiple error boxes appear.  Then...
Access basically dies.  It ends in a ball of fire asking if you want to send
a copy of the error report to Microsoft.  I am willing to bet this crash and
burn isn't limited to an Outlook multi-user contact folder link...  If you
use your private My Contacts folder, don't make changes while the Access
table is open...  Just to be safe!  :-)

If your application can survive these shortfalls, maybe the Access data link
is for you.

Jim ???

> In general, you need to write code that uses a connection string appropriate
> for the database library (DAO or ADO) and your database.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > can successfully make a connection?  I am running outlook
> > 2000 and windows 2000
mike - 01 Oct 2004 21:41 GMT
I am trying to connect to an ODBC oracle database, what
would the schematic of the code be to connect to and ODBC
oracle database, forgetting the actual name of the
database.  The problem is I don't know  how to come up
with a connection string and the examples in your book
only seem to work for an Acces database and a microsoft
SQL server.  Can you give me a place to start?

>-----Original Message-----
>In general, you need to write code that uses a connection string appropriate
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
>.
Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 01 Oct 2004 21:58 GMT
The page at http://www.outlookcode.com/d/database.htm has links to articles
that discuss connection strings for all kinds of databases.

Signature

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

>I am trying to connect to an ODBC oracle database, what
> would the schematic of the code be to connect to and ODBC
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> only seem to work for an Acces database and a microsoft
> SQL server.  Can you give me a place to start?
 
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