Customize Subject Field

[Guest]

I would like to customize the Subject field in Outlook so that the reader
will know where to file the form based on the Subject content. To do this, I
use the Value field in the Properties box and set the initial value to values
chosen in two separate combo boxes so that it looks like this: (combo1&"
"&combo2). This works fine, except that when the reader gets the mail, it
does not show the values chosen- until the reader opens the form. So what
they see is the default setting that is in the controls- "Select One" and
"Required" respectfully.

I've tried customizing the Subject field, and tried using a new text box
with the values as above but neither works. What am I doing wrong? Any
advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Hollis D. Paul]

I would like to customize the Subject field in Outlook so that the reader
will know where to file the form based on the Subject content. To do this, I
use the Value field in the Properties box and set the initial value to values
chosen in two separate combo boxes so that it looks like this: (combo1&"
"&combo2). This works fine, except that when the reader gets the mail, it
does not show the values chosen- until the reader opens the form. So what
they see is the default setting that is in the controls- "Select One" and
"Required" respectfully.

Don't customize the Subject field. Really, you do not want to make any
customizations on the Message page. Other things break if you do.

Instead, put your comboboxes on P.2, and bind them to 2 User Defined fields,
presumably defined in the folder. Then have your users add those two fields to
their Inboxes, or in whatever folder they will receive these messages, and show
the fields in the GUI display before the Subject field. They should then see
the selected values of the comboboxes in the field display and immediately file
the messages without reading them. Best of all possible worlds, no?

If you want them to actually read the messages, put the filing instructions at
the end of the message body.

Hollis D. Paul [MVP - Outlook]
(e-mail address removed)
Mukilteo, WA USA

 

[Guest]

Thanks Hollis,

I actually found another way to do this. Using the Properties box on the
Subject field, go to the Value tab, select the Initial value box and type
this: [combox1]&" - "&[combobox2] and then click on the Calculate this
automatically button. When the user selects options from the combo boxes
they appear in the subject field in this format: "Option1 - Option2". It's
perfect!

L.C.

I would like to customize the Subject field in Outlook so that the reader
will know where to file the form based on the Subject content. To do this, I
use the Value field in the Properties box and set the initial value to values
chosen in two separate combo boxes so that it looks like this: (combo1&"
"&combo2). This works fine, except that when the reader gets the mail, it
does not show the values chosen- until the reader opens the form. So what
they see is the default setting that is in the controls- "Select One" and
"Required" respectfully.

Don't customize the Subject field. Really, you do not want to make any
customizations on the Message page. Other things break if you do.

Instead, put your comboboxes on P.2, and bind them to 2 User Defined fields,
presumably defined in the folder. Then have your users add those two fields to
their Inboxes, or in whatever folder they will receive these messages, and show
the fields in the GUI display before the Subject field. They should then see
the selected values of the comboboxes in the field display and immediately file
the messages without reading them. Best of all possible worlds, no?

If you want them to actually read the messages, put the filing instructions at
the end of the message body.

Hollis D. Paul [MVP - Outlook]
(e-mail address removed)
Mukilteo, WA USA

 

[Hollis D. Paul]

Using the Properties box on the
Subject field, go to the Value tab, select the Initial value box and type

Not having ever wanted to do this, I would never have guessed. Kudos for
discovering it. I suspect that there are lots of capabilities in this very
complicated beast that lie dormant, because nobody thinks to use them.

Hollis D. Paul [MVP - Outlook]
(e-mail address removed)
Mukilteo, WA USA