OL2000: Common Outlook Object Model Limitations

ID: Q208527

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 2000

SUMMARY

This article describes known limitations you may encounter with the Microsoft Outlook object model. The following topics are covered:

Overview

Changing Option Settings

Changing Folder Properties

Changing View Attributes

Posting a File to a Folder

Changing the Mouse Pointer to an Hourglass

Digitally Signing and Encrypting Messages

Changing Outlook Bar Icons

Changing the Status Bar

MORE INFORMATION

Overview

Unlike other Microsoft Office programs which have "full" object models, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, the Outlook object model primarily focuses on items and the folders in which they're contained. This means that while you can manipulate items, forms, and certain aspects of folders, many of the commands or settings that are available through the user interface are not available when programming. The Outlook object model does not parallel the Outlook user interface.

NOTE: You may be able to work around some of these object model limitations by using the CommandBars collection to execute menu or toolbar commands.

For additional information on programming CommandBars, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q201095 OL2000: How to Use Command Bars in Outlook Solutions

IMPORTANT: The scope of this article is limited to using Visual Basic-based programming technologies with the Outlook object model, and may not take into account possible solutions using the Collaborative Data Objects object model or other Microsoft Exchange-related programming technologies. For more information about these technologies, please consult information provided by the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/

For additional information about obtaining support for Exchange-related programming technologies, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q198354 OL2000: Getting Support for Developing Outlook-Related Solutions

Changing Option Settings

There is no way to programmatically change many of the program-level settings in Outlook, since they are not exposed by the object model. Examples are any of the settings in the Options dialog box on the Tools menu.

Changing Folder Properties

You cannot change many options or properties related to folders. This includes AutoArchive settings, permissions settings, synchronization settings, and the default form for a folder.

Changing View Attributes

While the Outlook object model now allows you to programmatically change views using the Explorer.CurrentView property, you cannot change specific settings of a view itself.

Posting a File to a Folder

There is no way to post a file system-based file to a folder using the Outlook object model. Word and Excel do support a Post method if you want to post a Word document or Excel workbook, but the method does not have an argument that allows you to programmatically specify the folder. The Post method instead displays a window so the user can select the folder.

A potential workaround to allow a file to be directly posted to a folder can be found at the following non-Microsoft Web site:

http://www.outlookexchange.com/JayHarlow07.html

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Changing the Mouse Pointer to an Hourglass

You cannot control the appearance of the mouse pointer using the Outlook object model. If you are writing code within Outlook that takes some time to process, you cannot directly force Outlook to display an hourglass pointer if Outlook does not do so automatically.

Digitally Signing and Encrypting Messages

There is no way to digitally sign or encrypt a mail message using the Outlook object model.

Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) mail messages have a PR_Security property that supports digital signing and encryption. While you can set this property using the Collaborative Data Objects (CDO) object model, current Microsoft MAPI transports to not support this property.

Changing Outlook Bar Icons

It is not possible to programmatically change the icons that are associated with a shortcut on the Outlook Bar. The default icon for the shortcut will be always be used.

Changing the Status Bar

There is no way to change the status bar text in Microsoft Outlook. The status bar is not exposed as it is in other Microsoft Office object models.

REFERENCES

For additional information about available resources and answers to commonly asked questions about Microsoft Outlook 2000 solutions, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q146636 OL2000: Questions About Custom Forms and Outlook Solutions

Additional query words: OutSol OutSol2000 drag drop drag-and-drop simulate OL2K

Keywords : kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo