These unsupported form samples illustrate some of the tasks you can organize with Microsoft Outlook, especially with Microsoft Exchange Server Public Folders. Not only are they useful in their own right, but they help you learn how to build custom Outlook forms.

These forms are no longer available from Microsoft. I have copies of the custom form applications.

Each application is distributed in a Personal Folders .pst file. The main folder in the .pst file contains both the sample forms and instructions.

Apps marked with * have known problems. See OL98: Known Problems with the Outlook Sample Applications.

For useful modifications see Tips on getting the Microsoft Help Desk Sample Application (based on Outlook forms) to work.

For suggestions on the Sales Tracking sample, see Microsoft Sales Tracking Sample Application.

The installer for most of the Education samples will not work on Outlook 2002 and up, because it depends on the code in an unpublished form. The security features in newer versions of Outlook do not allow code in an unpublished form to run. Instead of the instructions provided, follow these steps after you run the program you download:

1. Chose File | Open | Outlook Data File, point to the folder where you installed the sample, and select the sample's .pst file.
2. In the root folder for the sample's .pst file, open the one item you find there.
3. Double-click the installer .oft form attached to that item. If you get a Select Folder prompt, you can select any folder; it doesn't matter which.
4. Switch to the Files page of the installer form.
5. Double-click the .oft form attachment listed under Files. This will open the sample form.
6. Choose Tools | Forms | Publish Form to publish the sample form.

See Publishing Custom Forms for step-by-step instructions on publishing most of the forms available here.

Note: In Outlook 2007 and 2010 you need to customize the ribbon to enable the Developer ribbon in order to access the Publish Custom form button.

Samples

Apps marked with * have known problems.