IABContainer : IMAPIContainer

The IABContainer interface provides access to address book containers. MAPI and client applications call the methods of IABContainer to perform name resolution and to create, copy, and delete recipients.

Quick Info

Header file: MAPIDEFS.H
Exposed by: Address book container objects
Implemented by: Address book providers
Called by: MAPI and client applications
Interface identifier: IID_IABContainer
Pointer type: LPABCONT
Transaction model: Transacted

Vtable Order

CreateEntry Creates a new entry, which can be a messaging user, a distribution list, or another container.
CopyEntries Copies one or more entries, typically messaging users or distribution lists.
DeleteEntries Removes one or more entries, typically messaging users, distribution lists, or other containers.
ResolveNames Performs name resolution for one or more recipient entries.

Required properties Access
PR_CONTAINER_FLAGS Read/write
PR_DISPLAY_NAME Read/write
PR_ENTRYID Read-only
PR_OBJECT_TYPE Read-only
PR_RECORD_KEY Read-only

Optional properties Access
PR_CONTAINER_CONTENTS Read-only
PR_CONTAINER_HIERARCHY Read-only
PR_DEF_CREATE_DL Read-only
PR_DEF_CREATE_MAILUSER Read-only
PR_DISPLAY_TYPE Read-only

Remarks

The IABContainer interface inherits indirectly from IUnknown through IMAPIContainer and IMAPIProp. Address book providers implement IABContainer.

Any number of messaging user objects, distribution lists, and other address book containers can exist within an address book container. As with any container, clients or service providers can use an address book container to open one of its entries or to retrieve a hierarchy table or contents table. Address book containers also provide name resolution and, depending on the provider, the ability to add, remove, or modify entries.

MAPI defines a special address book container, called the personal address book (PAB), that is meant to hold entries copied from other containers. A PAB is always modifiable. Users typically populate their PAB with entries designating the recipients with which they most frequently communicate. A PAB can also hold one-off addresses — new recipients not yet a part of any address book container.