Add external address book to Outlook 365

Tim Schmidt 1 Reputation point
2022-09-26T06:45:38.947+00:00

I want to add an address book to Outlook, which contains external addresses.
I've read that you need MAPI to develop an address book provider, which then would handle the external addresses.

The problem is that I can't find the MAPI headers for developing the provider. The Links I found on the learn.microsoft.com platform are all broken. #

In this question, it's stated that my goal is only achievable with MAPI, but it's 10 years old. Therefor, I have two questions:

  1. Can I find the MAPI header files anywhere?
  2. Is there any alternative to add an address book without adding the addresses to the user's local contacts and without MAPI now (hopefully in C#)?
C#
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An object-oriented and type-safe programming language that has its roots in the C family of languages and includes support for component-oriented programming.
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A high-level, general-purpose programming language, created as an extension of the C programming language, that has object-oriented, generic, and functional features in addition to facilities for low-level memory manipulation.
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Outlook: A family of Microsoft email and calendar products.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Vasil Michev 95,341 Reputation points MVP
    2022-09-26T07:08:21.17+00:00

    What's the end goal here? Populate some contact entries that are accessible company-wide? If so, probably the best option is to create a new Address list, which will automatically appear in Outlook and can be selected under the Address book dialog. Read here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/address-books/address-lists/address-lists