creating outlook addin (mail merge)

[Guest]

hi all,

i've relied very heavily on the macro recorder when doing excel vba, but
since there isn't one for outlook i'm kind of stuck as to where to start.

here's what i want to do:

the user selects one or more contacts from the CONTACTS in outlook
presses the addin button and the the code will take the selected contacts,
do a mail merge for envelopes using a pre-existing document, and arrive at
the print dialog box.

any help is greatly appreciated!

thanks!

J

 

[Guest]

Is there any reason in particular why you want to automate this with code?
This functionality is actually built right in. Just select the Contacts and
choose Mail Merge from the Tools menu. The dialog you're presented with
allows you to choose whether to use a new Word document or select an existing
template, as well as choose the mail merge type (letter, envelope, etc.).

 

[Guest]

yup - lets just say that the end user has a bad temper when they have to
click more than two or three times 'It's to #($#J#$ complicated!' was the
answer (from my boss) when i showed him how to do it.

 

[Guest]

What is too complicated - the mail merge wizard options? There's absolutely
no point in recreating those options with a custom application. Or is the
chore selecting the contacts and clicking Mail Merge from the Tools menu?
Selecting the contacts can't be automated obviously, but you can create a
custom menu/toolbar button and put the Mail Merge button at a "higher level".

Remember that once a mail merge document is set up, it can be saved to be
reused later with less steps. The chosen contacts can also be reused.

Maybe have your boss review the information on this page, which is geared
towards the average user:

Microsoft Office Assistance: Mail Merge:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/assistance/CH011490211033.aspx

--
Eric Legault - B.A, MCP, MCSD, Outlook MVP
Try Picture Attachments Wizard for Outlook! http://tinyurl.com/ckytm
Job: http://www.imaginets.com
Blog: http://blogs.officezealot.com/legault/

 

[Guest]

well, for him, selecting the contacts, selecting tools -> mail merge,
selecting 'selected contacts only', browsing for the saved template, choosing
'envelope' clicking ok is too complicated

it's not that he wants something re-created, just he wants to be able to
select the contacts, click a button and click print (and making me miserable
in the process! =) )

 

[Guest]

he's someone who uses excel for everything - writing letters & faxes, contact
information, writing e-mail, etc etc because the 'other programs' are too
complicated. i've just barely got him to use outlook period too.