How do I send a completed .oft form?

[John Howard]

Other than sending text emails, my knowledge of outlook is zero.

I have been given are very complex Outlook form template with an .oft
extension.
The file shows as being Class IPM.Note.FileName which I believe is a message
file.
The form was initialy composed in Outlook 2000 whereas I am using Outlook
2003.

When I complete all form fields and 'Send' the file to the address in the
'To' box the recepient only recieves a blank message with just the email
headers showing.

No part of the form is visible.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP]]

For a custom form to work fully, it must be published to the Organizational
Forms library on the company's Exchange server or to each user's Personal
Forms library. PLUS, the sender must create the message using the published
custom form. The .oft file is useful only for maintaining a backup of the
form design. See http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=61 for more
information on the prerequisites for custom message forms.

 

[John Howard]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for such a prompt response.
Coincidently I have both your books on order.
I should be able to answer my own questions after digesting them.

In the meantime, from you website's comment:
"As a practical matter, this means that you cannot use an Outlook message
form to gather information from people outside your organization. "

Do I take it that I cannot send an Outlook Form to clients, outside my
computer network and without Exchange, for them to populate and return?


--
Regards
John Howard
Sydney, Australia

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP]]

Yes, that's what it means. Outlook forms are suitable for data-gathering
only within an organization, not with external recipients. Alternatives
including web-based surveys (including browser-based Microsoft InfoPath
forms) and if you have Office 2007, the data-gathering feature in Access
that includes an Outlook add-in.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54

 

[John Howard]

Once again many thanks Sue,
You have saved me hours of fruitless searching.
The first of you Jumpstart books (2003 version) arrived today.
I am looking forward to gaining much from it and the 2007 version when it
arrives.
--
Regards
John Howard
Sydney, Australia