Thread: Create a macro in Outlook

Hi,

I have only a basic knowledge of macros - and I have only used them in Excel and Access. In Excel 2003 I often RECORD a new macro, then assign it to a new custom button on a toolbar. I'm afraid I would have no idea how to "program" a macro using code.

But now I need to do just that in Outlook 2003. Trouble is , I searched "Help" and it says you cannot record them. So I need REAL help.

I have created a message template for a particular recurring task and there are about 20 staff who will need to use it (most of them less technically advanced than me - you see the problem!!). Now, according to HELP there are three steps to using this template:
1. In the Inbox folder in Outlook, on the Tools menu, point to Forms, and then click Choose Form.
2. In the Choose Form dialog box, click the Look in drop-down arrow, and then click User Templates in File System.
3. Select your template, and then click Open.

These are the three steps I would like to automate using a macro. Then, ideally, I would like to be able to create a new button on the toolbar, which would run this macro.

If successful, I presume I will have to go and do the same on all the users' PCs, but I could live with that. I need to make this as easy as possible for them, as they'll all need to use the template every week.

I'd be very grateful for any help.

Hello BigPat,

This is pretty simple to do, once you know how. First, you need to create a digitally signed certificate. You won't be able to run the macros in Outlook without it. This is the most complex part of the procedure here is how to create your digital certificate. You may want to print this for reference.

Program Location:
For Office 2003:
?:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\SELFCERT.EXE

For Office XP:
?:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE10\SELFCERT.EXE

etc.

If you do not have the SELFCERT.EXE program you can find it on
your office CD or you can run setup again and install the Office
Tools.

Create the Digital Signature
Run the program and follow the simple step. It will create the
Digital Signature or "Certificate" for your vba projects.

Then in the VBA editor click Tools > Digital Signature... and click
Choose button and select the certificate you just created.

This will attach the signature to the project.

You can also set the security on Excel to High - only signed macros
from trusted sources will be run.

So only your macros will run.


To make you Digital Signature Certificate "Trusted"...

Export the Digital Signature
After you create your D.S. view it like when you assign the D.S. to
your VBA project - Tools > Digital Signature > Choose... > Select
your certificate > View Certificate > Details Tab > Copy to file...
Then you will see the Certificate Export wizard. Click Next > Next
> Next > Browse to where you want to save it to (*.cer) > Next >
Finish.

Import the Certificate
Browse to where you exported the certificate to and double click
it and wait for it to display the certificate. Then click Install
Certificate... > Next > Select "Place certificate in the following
store." and browse to "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" >
Next > Finish > Yes. Then your done.

Then check your VBA project's Digital Signature and it should
show that it is now "Trusted". If not, remove the Digital Signature
and then re-attach it to your VBA project again. You wil no longer
see the little red circle x before the certificate name.

Macro Code
This will create the button to "Choose a Form".

Sub AddButton()

    'Id 1910 = Choose Form
     ActiveExplorer.CommandBars("Menu Bar").Controls.Add _
       Type:=msoControlButton, ID:=1910, Temporary:=True
      
End Sub

Adding the Macro
1. Copy the macro above pressing the keys CTRL+C
2. Open Outlook
3. Press the keys ALT+F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor
4. Press the keys ALT+I to activate the Insert menu
5. Press M to insert a Standard Module
6. Paste the code by pressing the keys CTRL+V
7. Make any custom changes to the macro if needed at this time.
8. Save the Macro by pressing the keys CTRL+S
9. Press the keys ALT+Q to exit the Editor, and return to Outlook.

Outlook Startup Event Macro

Private Sub Application_Startup()
  Call AddButton
End Sub

Installing the Event Macro
1. Copy the macro using CTRL+C keys.
2. Open Outlook
4. Press ALT+F11 keys to open the Visual Basic Editor.
5. Press CTRL+R keys to shift the focus to the Project Explorer Window
6. Press the Down Arrow Key until ThisOutlookSession is highlighted in blue.
7. Press the Enter key to move the cursor to the Code Window
8. Paste the macro code using CTRL+V
9. Save the macro in your Workbook using CTRL+S

Sincerely,
Leith Ross

Hi,
I have the same question, but wanted further instruction on how to extend some defaults:

when the choose Form pop-up comes up.
How do i make it look in the User Templates in File System instead of the Organizational Forms Library?

Also is there a way to choose a specific saved template from the file system?


thank you,
Amit.