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oh outlook, oh outlook , wherefore art thou development

Developing for Outlook can sometimes be overwhelming and simply customers could often get lost in information spread around the web. here are some notes that will help folks get to grips with it

The three parts to understanding developing for outlook is:

                1.-using the outlook object model and understand what it could provide for your application

                2.-using the development environment and understand how to create addins targeted for your environment.

                3.-using the right tools to deploy your addin

And of course, I’ll list some resources to help you on towards support and development. I’ve listed the articles below which are all available within the MSDN that will help you understand all these areas and would make a good basis for your planning and development with your next application with outlook.

1.-Understanding the Outlook object model

What's New for Developers in Outlook 2007 (Part 1 of 2)

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226711.aspx

What's New for Developers in Outlook 2007 (Part 2 of 2)

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226714.aspx

The reference guide for the Outlook Object Model - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb176619.aspx. This will contain information for all of the objects, properties, methods, and events contained in the Outlook object model. This will contain relevant maps for the Application, Items, Navigation Bars and Outlook Bars, Rules and Views Object Model Maps.

2.- Development environments.

Building Outlook 2007 Solutions by Using Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Office System SE

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb897406.aspx

Outlook 2007 Sample: What's New Add-Ins

The Outlook 2007 What's New Add-Ins are a learning tool that will help you understand some of the important new features in the Outlook 2007 object model.

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=aabf127d-d069-4549-a1b1-667a698c3ef6&displaylang=en

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226710.aspx

3. Deployment

Automating the Deployment of Outlook Add-ins by Using Visual Studio Tools for Office Second Edition

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc136646.aspx

Deploying Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Office System SE Solutions Using Windows Installer (Part 1 of 2)

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb332051.aspx

Deploying Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Solutions Using Windows Installer: Walkthroughs (Part 2 of 2)

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms406084.aspx

4. Resources. These are resources available from Microsoft to aid in your development.

Outlook Developer Portal

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905455.aspx

Outlook Community

Get the help you need from the Outlook development communities.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/aa905464.aspx

Newsgroups and Support

https://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.outlook.program_vba

The product group have really tried to make developing for outlook easier. not only is it powerful but l;ike above there is a wealth of resources out there to help you.

 

Hope the above helps someone, it certainly did for the person who prompted me to stick this blog up.