Sequential numbering for posts for tracking purposes

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Andrew Hall - 26 Sep 2007 17:30 GMT

I've had public folders set up for users to place questions/posts. But in
order to better track whether a particular question has been answered, I
would like to assign a number to each post. But the numbers would have to be
automatically assigned and sequential. I think that this is the best way to
handle my need. What is the best way to accomplish this, publish a new form
with a specific field? I have no experience with forms, especially
programming them. So the easier the better. Although I'm not against
learning something new.

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Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 26 Sep 2007 21:37 GMT

There is no easy way to do this. All solutions would require code behind a custom form.

If you need a sequential number, not just a unique number, here are some methods you can use:

1) Use an autonumber table in SQL Server or Microsoft Access. See code sample at http://www.outlookcode.com/codedetail.aspx?id=1648 .(In my Microsoft Outlook Programming book, check out Listing 23.7 along with Listing 23.4 or 23.3 to open the database).

2) Get the last number used in a folder. Listing 15.8 in my latest book, Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming, demonstrates this. The code is usable in earlier versions and is available at the same URL mentioned above.

3) In a custom Outlook form, republish the form after each use to reset the number. I'm not a big fan of this approach, but include it here for the record. See http://www.outlookexchange.com/articles/ricardosilva/vbscriptoutforms.asp

4) Use an Excel worksheet that contains VBA code to increment the number. See http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public
.excel.newusers&mid=5489e140-9794-41b7-a9ba-1324e136ff3a

You could also use a text file to store the number, or with Outlook 2007, CDO 1.21, or Redemption, a hidden item in a folder.

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Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54

> I've had public folders set up for users to place questions/posts. But in
> order to better track whether a particular question has been answered, I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> programming them. So the easier the better. Although I'm not against
> learning something new.

Reply to this Message