MS outlook integrated with VB6?

[wai1985]

Just wondered can MS Outlook 2003 be integrated with VB6?

I want to set some sort of alert thing on VB6 that will alert the user to update the system (probably a message box to pop up or something). But I also want this alert to pop up on Outlook's calendar.

Can this be done?

[RobDog888]

Yes, you can add an appointment item to the Outlook calendar but for it to popup Outlook should be opened and running.

Chek my Office Development FAQ's VB 6 Automation thread:
http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=406640

[wai1985]

Thanks for your reply. Can u tell me how to do this please? Or maybe u can direct me to a tutorial? Thanksx

[RobDog888]

My links show how to automate Outlook. Do you have anything started yet?

[wai1985]

Hi, I haven't started anything yet because I don't know where to start. Can u give me some sort of guide please?

Thank u

[RobDog888]

Yes, the link I posted in #2 and for allot of other stuff, main Office FAQ link in my signature.

[wai1985]

Hi. THe link you posted in #2 is creating a button to be displayed on the toolbar in Outlook. How would u create an appointment? Would it sort of be the same thing?

[RobDog888]

Thats just a small part of what it is doing. It is automating Outlook by creating an instance of Outlook for controlling in VB 6. You need to start there before you can automate it to create an appointment item.

[wai1985]

I tried the tutorial and it was going well until I reached the bit where I tried to add this component to Outlook. It displayed 'Office add in not valid'. I saved the .dll file myself i.e. I did not compile it. I selected 'Save as'-> filname.dll

I didnt know u can compile it? How is it done? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks

[RobDog888]

Use the menu...

File > Make MyAddIn.dll

To compile the dll.

[wai1985]

Yey that worked. Thank u. Going back to my previous question, how do I now create an alert in the calendar? So when a message box pops up in calendar, the user can click on it and it will take them to VB6? That possible?

[RobDog888]

You just need to create an AppointmentItem on the calendar with the Reminder property set to True. Then if Outlook is open and running when the remind time occurs, it will display a popup reminder.

[wai1985]

When the reminder pops up. Is it possible for the user to click on this pop up and it takes them straight to VB?

[RobDog888]

Depends on if you have created/started the instance of Outlook from VB and if you have an event for it.

[wai1985]

Is there a tutorial,or step by step guide on how to do this? Thanks

[RobDog888]

To get the basics of Outlook instanciated is shown in the link I posted in #2.

[wai1985]

I followed your tutorial, but which part of the code do I need to change to be able to get VB to open when a pop up box appears in outlook?

[RobDog888]

There is still allot more to write. But you have the beginning part working now?

To create an appointment item and set teh remonder it needs to be added to the default calendar in case you have more then one calendar.

'Additional code
Dim oAppt As Outlook.AppointmentItem
Set oAppt = oApp.CreateItem(olAppointmentItem)
oAppt.ReminderSet = True
oAppt.ReminderMinutesBeforeStart = 300 '5 minutes
oAppt.Start = #3/31/2007 8:00:00#
oAppt.End = #3/31/2007 8:30:00#
oAppt.Save
'....

[wai1985]

Hello.

Yes I have the beginning bit to work. Where the 'meow' message box appears in Outlook.

Where do I put this VBcode u have given in the code?

[RobDog888]

In the click event of that button as that is where it will be executed from. Is that how you need it?

[wai1985]

In the project, I still have the AddIn designer form for the connection to Outlook. I then added a new form to the project, created a new button and copied the code in. I click play, and a dialog box displays asking me When the project starts:
wait for components to be created,
start program or
start browser with URL.

Have I done this right. It doesnt play the form for me to click on the button?

[RobDog888]

You can not run an AddIn this way. Did you create all 5 events for the addin?

[wai1985]

I basically followed your tutorial and used all the code in there. So im sure all the 5 events are in there for the addin.

[Psynister]

Sorry to jump in on you here, wai:

Gangsta Yoda,
Can you set the date/time of a reminder to be based off of a variable? For instance, always create the reminder for 5 days ahead of today?

[RobDog888]

Yes,

AppointmentItem.ReminderSet = True
AppointmentItem.ReminderMinutesBeforeStart = iDuration

[RobDog888]

I basically followed your tutorial and used all the code in there. So im sure all the 5 events are in there for the addin.

Did you try the download file attachment?