Outlook and Excel Versions With VBA Support

Question

Hi all–

I am trying to help a client with an Excel macro that sends emails through Outlook. I use a Mac computer, and he uses a PC computer, so I am simply writing the macros for him and having him test them out on his own machine. We realized that his version of Outlook was not compatible with the VBA automations, so we are looking at other options. I need some advice on what version to steer him to, and I was hoping this question could also help some others out since it seems like a common issue.

Situation:

-Running built-in versions of Outlook and Excel

-Relying on a an Excel workbook with many built in macros

-Need to run a macro which automatically sends an email through Outlook

-Built-in version of Outlook not compatible with VBA in Excel

Requirements:

-Version of Outlook with VBA macro support

-Ideally, pay for the entire license instead of a subscription

Potentially Viable Options:

-Outlook Standalone (compatible with VBA?)

-Microsoft Home and Office 2021 from Amazon (is it legit? compatible?)

Some additional concerns that I have:

-The current Excel set up works fine. Will purchasing a new Outlook license require us to change versions of Excel, and could this break out existing macros?

-Is it possible to only purchase an older version Outlook, without updating all other Office products?

-Should I tell the client to turn off software updates (in case VBA support is removed in the future)?

Thank you for your help– I am not very familiar with PCs, and I want to make sure I don't steer him toward an expensive license that won't run properly or will create additional issues.

Answer 1

Your client has a current Office version, possibly o365 Buisiness, presumably desktop components.

And VBA/Macros are fully supported, you, the client, have to enable macroes as per this MS Kb https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/enable-or-disable-macros-in-microsoft-365-files-12b036fd-d140-4e74-b45e-16fed1a7e5c6

In adition;

O365/Office when installed under a Win user admin account, and run from that admin account, auto logs in when the PC is started. There is no separate login for any component.

Win search for Word > Resulting shortcut > Rt click > Pin to task bar > start Word from that shortcut (hover mouse over the shortcut gives access to the 10 most recent docs)

Same for other core components.

Start eg Word open an old doc via recents/search

Rarely any need to access OneDrive itself.

Answer 2

Here is some further information I received from him:

WINDOWS:

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎3/‎6/‎2025
OS build 26100.4061
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.84.0

EXCEL:

Version 2505

Build 18827.20164 (Click-to-Run)

Answer 3

I'll update when I have more details, but the information I have right now is:

-Windows 11

-Likely the latest version of Excel (waiting on specifics)

-He had Outlook Version 1.2025.213.300 (Production), but recently downloaded Outlook Classic (but has not bought a license/paid for a subscription yet)

Answer 4

You would need to clarify what the other party is using as there is no 'built in version' of Office or MS Outlook

And what Win version are they using?