Outlook 2007: Text Box Entry for Categories?

[laurensdejong]

My department is migrating from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007. I am
piloting 2007 and am struggling with categories.

We use many categories for our shared mailbox. Every incoming mail
item is categorized using one or more categories. Because of the large
number of categories and how often they change, most of us are used to
just typing them into the text entry box. For instance, a mail item
may be categorized as "parts, chrysler, z01112008," the z-number
indicating a delivery date. That's what we type in the text box.

Once categorized, management can then filter by category to see how
many items were received for parts, of for that delivery date, etc.

In Outlook 2007 there is no text box. Trying to use categories that
don't exist is cumbersome, and, once defined, even clicking categories
from a hundred or so choices is more work than just typing them in.

Is there a solution to use text box entry? Or do I need to write VBA
code and forms?

-Laurens de Jong, from Detroit, MI.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Right click on the message in the message list and choose Message options.
Or on an open message, expand the options dialog - use the little flyout
arrow in the lower right under categories/followup/mark as read buttons.

Also, one of the tools at http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/olcat.asp may
help.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



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[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The Categories control in the Message Options dialog works off the pick list.
It's not a text box that accepts typing.

I've been able to get a form region solution to work on individual open
items -- just an .ofs file, an .xml file, and an added value in the Windows
registry. If the requirement is to be able to input categories from an item
selected in a folder, however, that would require an add-in. (There's no
good, supported distribution method for VBA code.)
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

It was easy enough to implement the form region that I've posted the
necessary elements, along with instructions at
http://outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=73 . Note that because it's just two
files and a registry value, such a region could be deployed using the same
techniques that an organization would normally use for desktop deployments.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54

 

[laurensdejong]

I've been able to get a form region solution to work on individual open
items -- just an .ofs file, an .xml file, and an added value in the Windows
registry.

That looks promising, Sue. Thanks. I've downloaded the zip from the
address in your later message.

If the requirement is to be able to input categories from an item
selected in a folder, however, that would require an add-in. (There's no
good, supported distribution method for VBA code.)

You mean that once I write the code there is no good way to send it to
the rest of the department? That is no object. If you think it can be
done with VBA, I'll take a stab at it.

-Laurens de Jong, from Detroit, MI.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You might want to read the article at
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=28 on the pitfalls of trying to
distribute VBA code.

 

[laurensdejong]

You might want to read the article athttp://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=28on the pitfalls of trying to
distribute VBA code.

A good read, as always. In my case, I'm lucky: everyone in my
department is a VBA programmer. I just tell them to use my code. We
share a lot of code.

But the form region solution works adequately. I've been using it
today and I like being able to type in the categories as I read the
message. Thanks again!

-Laurens de Jong, from Detroit, MI.