VSTO 2005 - Non-trivial Outlook Add-ins

[Mike Hildner]

I've been getting into the Outlook Add-in type project in VS 2005. I think I could really use this to my (and my clients') advantage. You know, give them an application that they don't even know isn't part of Outlook. Anyway...

I see MS has given some pretty good samples , but they're trivial - more or less "Hello World" examples. I need best practices or reference implentations or whatever you want to call it for real-world apps.

For example, I'd like to create my own "first class" folder and have the tri-panel effect. Ideally, it'd be on the same tree level as the Inbox folder. I'd also like to have a UserControl instead of a IHTMLDocument2. Or maybe I don't. I do not get how I'm supposed to manipulate a IHTMLDocument2 object to achieve my desired results.

Any, all and random thoughts are appreciated

Mike

[RobDog888]

Randem thought:

"Damn I wish I had my MSDN copy of VSTS 2005 & VSTO 2005. Should be coming in 6-8 days left still.

"Tri-panel effect" you mean the task pane, main viewing area, and navigation panel?

[Mike Hildner]

You'll have fun when you get VSTO. I've been digging how you can make your own task pane in Excel (or Word) - you just make your own UserControls and add them to it. Plus you can hook into Excel events etc.

"Tri-panel effect" you mean the task pane, main viewing area, and navigation panel?

That's exactly what I mean. I'd like to have my own folder, be able to show a list of items, and then when you click an item you can view the whole item. Just like your inbox, except I won't be showing email items - it'd be sales invoices or whatever - reading from a database/web service.

I need to look into the object model more, I guess.

Mike

[RobDog888]

Then it would possibly be easier to use a web page to display a custom display area. Its like creating a digital dashboard to present your data in a easy to read/use way.

I have VSTO 2003 but no Outlook support in that version. Just figured out I can download it from MSDN as I just got the top level MSDN subscription. I will be busy this weekend. I cant wait. This is better then xmas.

Yes, I have seen some webcasts on creating and programming a custom task pane. You may have seen it already but its for 2003.

[techgnome]

Randem thought:

"Damn I wish I had my MSDN copy of VSTS 2005 & VSTO 2005. Should be coming in 6-8 days left still.

"Tri-panel effect" you mean the task pane, main viewing area, and navigation panel?

Keep looking... I just got my MSDN notice in my email yesterday... spent half the night getting the ISO files for VSTS and other stuff. I'm assuming since we all got our VIP notices about the same time and signed up for our packages within days of each other... it should be soon.

-tg

[RobDog888]

Yup, I got it a few days ago (Wed.) but I didnt read it all. Stopped at the part where it said when it was coming

Going to be setting up another system and downloading today and all weekend long. w00t!

Meow!

[RobDog888]

Hey Mike, does VSTO 2005 already contain Outlook support or do I need to download the Outlook Beta 1 Add-In?
I am downloading VSTO 2005 as we speak

[Mike Hildner]

It already contains it. You'll see the Outlook Add-In template type when you create a new project, under the Office node.

I *think* that Beta was for VS before it was officially released.

When I installed VSTO from my MSDN disks it was there.

Have fun! - check out those sample in the above link.

Mike

[RobDog888]

Oh I will I need to download VSTS and Pro 2005 also first. Probably be able to install it later tonight or tomorrow.