Email a distribution list

[JeffreyBee]

Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone who is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using the Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is nothing inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats but the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.

 

[JeffreyBee]

The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email editor.

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone who is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats but the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text? Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain text?

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text? Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain text?

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text? Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

It is set to: "Let Outlook Decide the best format for sending."

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain text?

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text? Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain text?

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text? Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains 2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003 and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Can't repro.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Wait a minute. Why are you selecting HTML? You can only do this with RTF.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

HTML is my default email format but I will try to send one as Rich Text
(although I think I tried this already). BTW, when I attached the DL using
Rich Text, the Insert Item dialog box provides me the option to Insert As
Attachment or as Shortcut. My assumption is to Insert as
Attachment...correct?

Wait a minute. Why are you selecting HTML? You can only do this with RTF.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

Well, I tried it using the RTF option as you suggested. Unfortunately the
results were the same.

Wait a minute. Why are you selecting HTML? You can only do this with RTF.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[JeffreyBee]

Hi Russ. Any chance I could send you an email with a DL attached so you can
see what I am talking about?

Wait a minute. Why are you selecting HTML? You can only do this with RTF.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No. Not correct. You must use "Insert Item" and only "Insert Item." Nothing
else will work. It's in the attachment dropdown (i.e., the paper clip).
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

HTML is my default email format but I will try to send one as Rich Text
(although I think I tried this already). BTW, when I attached the DL
using
Rich Text, the Insert Item dialog box provides me the option to Insert As
Attachment or as Shortcut. My assumption is to Insert as
Attachment...correct?

Wait a minute. Why are you selecting HTML? You can only do this with RTF.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, I'm not doing anything complex.

1. I am creating a simple distribution list to use as a test. It
contains
2
email addresses in it. When I add the 2 email addresses it shows the
Internet Format as "Let Outlook Dedice the Best Format."

2. I click on Save and Close.

3. I then create a new email with Word 2003 as my email editor. The
email
format is HTML.

4. I click on the drop-down list for the Insert File toolbar button and
select Item.

5. I select the Distribution list.

6. I send the email.

If I send the email to someone within our company network then the
distribution list shows up correct as an attachment. If I send the
email
to
someone outside the company who I know for a fact is using Outlook 2003
and
Exchange Server then the distribution list does not show up as an
attachment
but rather as an empty email message attachment.



:

Then I give up. The procedure works for everyone else, unless the DL
is
corrupt or unless you're missing one of the steps I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
It is set to, "Let Outlook decide the best format for sending."

:

Open at the Contact Record. Double click the email field > Internet
Format:
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in my current Contacts folder.

How would I check to see if the recipient is set to receive in
plain
text?

:

Have you made sure the recipient isn't set to receive in plain
text?
Was
this DL created in your current Contacts Folder or moved there
from
an
earlier installation?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
The DL was created in the Contacts folder by clicking on the
New
drop-down
list and selecting Distribution list. Word 2003 is my default
email
editor.

:

How was this DL created and in what information store? In
most
recent
Outlook versions Insert Item is not in the same place as
Insert
File.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Outlook 2003

Hello. I emailed a distribution list as an attachment to
someone
who
is
also using Outlook 2003/Exchange server. I attached the
list
using
the
Item
choice when I click on the Insert a File toolbar button
drop-down
list.

The problem is when they receive the email the attachment
shows
up
as a
message attachment and when they open the attachment there
is
nothing
inside
it and it appears like an attached email message and not a
contact
attachment. I have tried sending it in HTML and Rich Text
formats
but
the
results have not changed.

Thanks for any input you can provide.