Outlook AddinInstance_onconnection

1. When I create outlook object [set objoutlook=createobject("Outlook.Application")] will the addinInstance_OnConnection() will be executed. If so, is it immediately after its created or its asynchoronous.
2. And also addinInstance_Onconnection calls the InitHandler procedure only when either Explorers.count or Inspectors.count is not equal to zero. When outlook opens how the count will be zero.

The OnConnection event should not require you to create your own Outlook instance. You can set a public outlook application object = to the outlook application instance that is passed in to the procedure. This is the proper way. ;)

VB Code:

Option Explicit
 
Public moApp As Outlook.Application
 
Private Sub AddinInstance_OnConnection(ByVal Application As Object, ByVal ConnectMode As AddInDesignerObjects.ext_ConnectMode, ByVal AddInInst As Object, custom() As Variant)
    set moApp = Application
   '...
End Sub

actually i am creating my own outlook object from a procedure in a class module. In that case will the addinInstance_OnConnection () be executed??

VB Code:

Private Sub AddinInstance_OnConnection(ByVal Application As Object, _
   ByVal ConnectMode As AddInDesignerObjects.ext_ConnectMode, _
   ByVal AddInInst As Object, custom() As Variant)
    On Error Resume Next
    'Evaluate ConnectMode
    
    Select Case ConnectMode
        Case ext_cm_Startup
        Case ext_cm_AfterStartup
        Case ext_cm_CommandLine
        Case ext_cm_Startup
    End Select
    'Don't call InitHandler if Explorers.Count = 0 and Inspectors.Count = 0
    If Application.Explorers.Count = 0 And Application.Inspectors.Count = 0 Then
        Exit Sub
    End If
    
   'AddInInst represents COMAddIn object
    'Create and Initialize a base class
    
    gBaseClass.InitHandler Application, AddInInst.ProgId
    'DebugWrite "IDT2 OnConnection"
End Sub
 
 
Method where i create another outlook object is below.
 
Public Sub Display()
Dim blnNew As Boolean
Dim myFolder As MAPIFolder
Dim myNameSpc As NameSpace
 
    
On Error Resume Next
If golApp Is Nothing Then  "Open outlook if it is not already open
    blnEnableEmail = GetSetting("shsmith", "EnableMail", "EMAIL", True)
    If blnEnableEmail Then
        Set olOut = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
        Set myNameSpc = olOut.GetNamespace("MAPI")
        Set myFolder = myNameSpc.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInbox)
        myfolder.Display
        'Set objOutlook = olOut
        'Set golApp = olOut
        'golApp.ActiveExplorer.Activate
        Set olOut = Nothing
        Set myNameSpc = Nothing
        blnOutCreated = True
    End If
Else
    blnOutCreated = True
End If
    If blnOutCreated Then
        Set objCB = golApp.ActiveExplorer.CommandBars("SHSMITH") ' Test if the Items toolbar already exists
        If Err Then
            blnNew = True
        ' Create a new items toolbar.
            Set objCB = golApp.ActiveExplorer.CommandBars.Add _
                (Name:="SHSMITH", Position:=msoBarRight, Temporary:=False)
        
            Set objCBPop = objCB.Controls.Add(Type:=msoControlPopup)
            With objCBPop
                .Caption = "SHSMITH"
                .ToolTipText = "Attach To Correspondence"
            End With
            Set objCBButton = CreateAddInCommandBarButton(gstrProgID, objCBPop, _
            "Attach Email To Correspondence", "SHSMITH", "Attach To Email Correspondence", 1757, False, msoButtonCaption)
        End If
        blnOutCreated = False
    End If
    'Display toolbar if new
    If blnNew Then objCB.Visible = True
end sub
 
INITHANDLER LOOKS LIKE THIS.
 
Friend Sub InitHandler(olApp As Outlook.Application, strProgID As String)
    On Error Resume Next
     'Declared WithEvents
    'Instantiate a public module-level Outlook application variable
    Set golApp = olApp
    Set objOutlook = olApp
    gstrProgID = strProgID
    'CBOutlookItems objOutlook.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder
    End Sub

Ok, your line here: gBaseClass.InitHandler Application, AddInInst.ProgId is passing the Application object to your inithandler where your setting your public app var golApp = to it. Thats fine except that an addin usually depends on Outlook starting up on its own. Not too sure if an addin can start Outlook seeing how the addin will not be connected nor have any Application object to pass into the OnConnection event. Sounds like your logic may need improving but what does your addin do anyways?

my addin will create a command bar on the outlook.When the button is clicked after selceting an item from a folder, the item object will be passed to VB app which will save the item in the VB application.
In the same way,when a mail is sent the dll will pick it up from the sent items folder and pass the object again to VB app which will save the item in the application.

The thing is, When the VB app is run if outlook is not open then a new outlook has to be opened else if outlook is already open, then only the button needs to be added to the existing outlook instance.

currently we have a custom built dll that is working fine, but unfortunately the contract developer took the source with him and we have only the dll. We are trying to code it again.

And also currently the display method opens new outlook but in addininstance_onconnection procedure since Explorers and Inspectors counts are zero the button is not displayed.
And also display method opens new outlook even though an instance is already opened by the user.

Ok, got a little better picture of whats going on. You VB app will shell Outlook if its not running. Then it will only create a toolbar button if it was already running?

VB app will not Shell outlook ...COM DLL will shell outlook if its not running. COM DLL will create the toolbar button if it is already running.

This COM dll is the Outlook Add-In, correct? If so it needs Outlook to be running first so it can load th Add_In. ;)

so do you mean to say that from the outlook com addin we will not be able to shell outlook??.

No, I'm not saying that but it would be a new separate instance of Outlook and would not be a Trusted instance and would incur all the security popups from Outlook. :(

i am able to create a new instance if there isnt one already but the problem is it is not executing the inithandler procedure as app.explorers.count =0 and this condition is checked in addininstance_onconnection, where the inithandler is also called.

because of this...i am not able to create buttons.