macro to change settings

[PKern]

I would like to create a macro that will change the settings in tools,
Options, Mail Format

The macro will only need to be run once. I do not know how to write code -
too bad Outlook doesn't have the "record" feature!

Is there a place online where I can learn to do this myself?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What settings do you want to change? Most of those in that dialog are stored in the Windows registry. Changing the registry values programmatically while Outlook is running won't make any change to the current operating environment. Those changes will take effect only when the user restarts Outlook.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

I need to change the following

I want both the boxes at the top concerning using Word to not be marked.
I need it to be set as HTML
I need the "Internet Format" window to make sure the top box is unmarked.

That is it.

-
Thanks,

PKern

What settings do you want to change? Most of those in that dialog are stored in the Windows registry. Changing the registry values programmatically while Outlook is running won't make any change to the current operating environment. Those changes will take effect only when the user restarts Outlook.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

As I said, you can't change those settings while Outlook is running. Why not set those options with Group Policy Objects? (Or at least tell us more about your scenario.)

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

I need to change the following

I want both the boxes at the top concerning using Word to not be marked.
I need it to be set as HTML
I need the "Internet Format" window to make sure the top box is unmarked.

That is it.

-
Thanks,

PKern

 

[PKern]

It would not be a problem for outlook to not be running.

Here is what I am trying to do.

I have created a custom auto signature for a company (HTML). I currently
have an installation program that installs the signature files where they
need to go to be used with Outlook - but many of the individuals won't read
the instructions for setting up outlook - so I thought if I could create a
macro that they double click on or something like that it would eliminate my
need to constantly be answering questions.

I am hoping to make this part of the installation process - not actually
running the macro from within Outlook. I of course am not sure how to make
that part of the installation - but hey - one step at a time

I am just trying to figure out what I can and can't do.


--
Thanks,

PKern

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

So what you really want to do is set the users' default signature? That's actually very difficult, since Outlook 2003 has per-account signatures. See http://www.outlookcode.com/codedetail.aspx?id=821 for a sample script.

A "macro" is a VBA procedure. In other words, Outlook or some other program would have to be running to do this in a macro. What do you currently use to deploy registry changes to users?

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

I'm not very advanced - I bought a cheap install program online at

http://www.inner-smile.com/dl_inf.htm

I am really not familiar with any of this that includes registery changes.
I know this program has a way of doing it but I haven't implemented any.
--
Thanks,

PKern

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Here are the registry settings from the Mail Format page:

Use the following Format/Editor for e-mail messages
Key: HKCU\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options\Mail
Value name: EditorPreference
Value type: REG_DWORD
Value data: 131072 = HTML/Outlook
131073 = HTML/Microsoft Word
196610 = Rich Text/Outlook
196609 = Rich Text/Microsoft Word
65536 = Plain Text/Outlook
65537 = Plain Text/Microsoft Word

Comment: “Outlook†here refers to the built-in Outlook message editor. “Microsoft Word†refers to WordMail or Word used as the Outlook message editor.

Use Microsoft Word to read rich text e-mail messages
Key: HKCU\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options\Mail
Value name: UseWordMail
Value type: REG_DWORD
Value data: 1 = Enabled, 0 = Disabled

If you want to write a script to make the registry changes instead of using that program, use your favorite search engine to look for -- vbscript registry

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

Thanks so much! Did you also include how to make sure the check box is not
marked for the Internet Format options? I didn't see it - but that doesn't
mean it isn't there!

Based on what you have given me here - I should be able to add these keys to
the installtion program - is that correct?

I did a search using vbscript registery - lots came up - but I need to make
sure that these changes occur during the installation process. Does that
make sense?

Also, when I use the registery option in the installtion program I have some
choices and I am not sure which to choose from - hkey_classes_root,
Hkey_local_machine, hkey_current_user and heky_users. **** I also have the
option to import a registery key - is there a way to take what you have given
me and turn it into a regitery key?


--
Thanks,

PKern

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If you don't understand these registry basics, it sounds like you need to search again for something like -- registry FAQ.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

are you for hire?
--
Thanks,

PKern

If you don't understand these registry basics, it sounds like you need to search again for something like -- registry FAQ.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

No.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

Thanks so much for your help - I was able to figure it all out and my install
now works perfectly!
--
Thanks,

PKern

 

[PKern]

When I create an html document and import it into the directory where
signatures are stored and then select that html to be my auto signature for
new, replies and forwarded messages - Outlook automatically creates an rtf
and txt version of that html document when the first message is created.

Those versions are not good versions - I need to be able to use my own
version of the rtf and txt files. I tried creating my own versions and
putting them in the correct directory but upon first use of the signature
Outlook over wrote my files and put the other info in its place.

I have created an install program that changes the HCKU info - as to what
you have given here - are there also ways to make it so that Outlook doesn't
overwrite the .txt and .rtf files I put in place? I was thinking there must
be a toggle or something that Outlook uses to create the files.

I would also like to be able to automically choose a specific autosignature
from the list. Is this possible?

What I want to happen is someone installs the auto signature I have created
and then all they need to do is open Outlook and send a new message

Any advice?
----
Thanks,

PKern

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I don't know of any way to suppress Outlook's built-in behavior, but I wonder what would happen if you set the read-only flag on those documents.

I would also like to be able to automically choose a specific autosignature
from the list. Is this possible?

Choose where?
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

OK - You are officially a genius!!!! Making the files read only worked
perfectly! I am so excited right now I could scream!!!

Last thing - if you can help me with this I will sing your praises to the
entire world

When I am setting up the install program I have it set to make certain
changes to the directory and I have it putting the html, rtf, and txt doc in
the correct directory. Now the only thing my client has to do manually is go
to the tools, options, mail format tab and select the correct auto signature
from the drop down list - I want to be able to choose that for them and have
the install program select that file for them. In the registry I can tell it
the settings - is there somewhere that I can manually change which signature
is chosen so that my client doesn't need to even go to tools, options, mail
format?

Thanks!
--
Thanks,

PKern

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Repeating my comment earlier in this thread:

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[PKern]

I apprecite your helpl! Each user only has one account on their system but
that might not always be true - I think I'll just be happy with where I am on
this.
--
Thanks,

PKern