Custom actions add functionality to the Rules Wizard in Microsoft Outlook by performing additional actions on messages.
There are very few custom actions available (in part because they were written in C++). For this reason, we are including other useful "rules tools" here.
Available Custom Actions | Notes | More Information
Tools in the Spotlight
Save attachments as system files either as part of a Rules Wizard rule or manually, from either a folder view or the Advanced Find window. Can create subfolders to organize attachments by sender or date, pass an attachment to a script or other program, add a link in messages to point to the detached file, filter on attachment names, and automatically zip or unzip attachments. Version 5.5.1.327. |
Tools
Rules Wizard custom action to add the sender of an item to the Contacts folder. C++ source code included. Free sample from Microsoft. | |
Adds the sender of a message to your Personal Address Book. Requires Outlook 98 or Outlook 2000 in Corporate/Workgroup mode. Source code is included. | |
Custom action for Rules Wizard to mark messages that meet certain criteria as read and suppress the new mail indicator in the system tray. Improved integration with client-based spam filters. You can now simply designate any folder as AutoRead-enabled, providing an ability to mark new messages in that folder as read and/or remove Outlook's "New Mail" icon when new messages arrive into that folder. Version 2.0.0.47. | |
Exchange/Outlook add-on to create custom replies, forwards, signatures -- inserting any type of boilerplate text into your message. Templates are stored in Outlook or Exchange folders and can contain scripting elements (in VBScript or ET's own script language) to build replies that use information from the incoming message. Various extensions can handle such tasks as mailing list subscriptions. For a rotating quote, download the Rotating Text template. Has some issues with Outlook 2002 -- make sure you get the latest update, disable RTF templates, and don't try to use ET as a custom action in Rules Wizard. | |
MarkRead is a custom action that you can use with Inbox Assistant or the Outlook Rules Wizard to mark messages as read. This is especially handy if you move junk mail to its own folder for review. Beta 1, 16kb, 19 Nov 97. Does not affect the envelope icon on the system tray, which will still show new messages having arrived. May not work in all versions of Outlook 2000. (Custom actions do not work at all in Outlook 2002.) Make sure you have a C:\Exchange folder before running setup; create it if necessary. |
Notes
Adding a custom action to a rule automatically makes it a client-side rule that can execute only when Outlook is running.
More Information
- All about Inbox Assistant and Rules Wizard custom actions — details on what custom actions are and how they’re created using C++
- XCLN What is the ‘Custom’ Rule Action For
Articles that may interest you:
Last reviewed on Aug 22, 2011
Hot Topics