Auto Number Tasks

[Guest]

Does anyone know if I can create a field that will display unique numbers for
each new task...1001 for the first one, 1002 for the next one, 1003 for the
third one, etc.

Thanks so much. May be right in front of my face, but I sure can't find it.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Outlook has no "autonumber" field type as Access does. Any such identifier has to be obtained from code.

If a simple unique identifier will do, you can take the item's EntryID (set after the item is saved) and copy it into the field that you want to use to hold the ID. The value of the actual EntryID property may change if you move the item, but the value in the custom property won't.

My book demonstrates several other methods. You can download the sample code from http://www.outlookcode.com/member/book.aspx :

1) Get a GUID with the Session.CreateConversationIndex from CDO 1.21. (Listing 20.5)

2) Build an ID from the current date/time (Listing 20.6)

If you need a sequential number, not just a unique number, here are some methods you can use:

3) Use an autonumber table in SQL Server or Microsoft Access. (In my book, Listing 23.7 with Listing 23.4 or 23.3 to open the database)

4) In a custom Outlook form, republish the form after each use to reset the number. See http://www.outlookexchange.com/articles/ricardosilva/vbscriptoutforms.asp

5) Use an Excel worksheet that contains VBA code to increment the number. See http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...sers&mid=5489e140-9794-41b7-a9ba-1324e136ff3a

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

Sue, thank you ever so much for your quick and great responses. I think I
will go the date/time number. I'll be getting your book; I'm sure.