To work with the currently selected item (not opened) in the message list, you will need to reference the ActiveExplorer and will use the ActiveExplorer method to get the item in the Explorer window. (This is used for all Outlook items that are selected but not opened: appointments, contacts, tasks, etc.)
Set objItem = objApp.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
When you are working with an Outlook item that is open and has focus, it uses the ActiveInspector method. The code you need to work with Inspectors is.
Set objItem = objApp.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
To help remember which is which, think of the main Outlook window as Windows Explorer. When you work with items in this window, you'll use Explorer.
Use macros with both opened and selected items
When you want to use the macro with both open or selected items, you'll use this function to determine if the item is open or selected. You'll call the function in your code in this manner:
Set objItem = GetCurrentItem()
You'll need to put one copy of this function in a module and can use the function in many macros.
Function GetCurrentItem() As Object
Dim objApp As Outlook.Application
Set objApp = Application
On Error Resume Next
Select Case TypeName(objApp.ActiveWindow)
Case "Explorer"
Set GetCurrentItem = objApp.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
Case "Inspector"
Set GetCurrentItem = objApp.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
End Select
Set objApp = Nothing
End Function
These articles are applicable to all versions of Outlook:
More Information
Application.ActiveInspector Method
Application.ActiveExplorer Method
Hi Diane.
I have a requirement of Reading subject line of a mail in my Microsoft outlook inbox from excel. Once i receive a mail of the desired subject line, it has to trigger my database query through excel.
I need a help on reading a mail from outlook inbox and triggering my Microsoft excel macro for running database query.
Thanks.
I think what you want to do is watch the folder in outlook then send it to Excel - outlook can run the query or it may be able to trigger a macro in Excel. The macro at https://www.slipstick.com/developer/vba-copy-outlook-email-excel-workbook/ shows how to interact with excel from outlook.
Thanks for this. I've had to use it to get round a stupid "design" feature in Outlook 2016 where doing a save all attachments doesn't now prompt you to overwrite existing files. This results in multiple versions of downloaded files. Using your code I've created a macro that appears on the ribbon and our users can then click it and it will download the attachments and overwrite any with the same name. Not always what people might want but exactly what this particular application needed. Many thanks.
Hi Diane.
I don't have access to Outlook VBA due to onsite security, but I do to Excel VBA. What changes would I need to make to enable this to run from Excel. PS. It would be handy if it could cycle through all items in the calendar writing the recipients to a spreadsheet.
Thanks
Really? One is as safe as the other. :) You basically just need to fix the references to read outlook from excel. The macro at https://www.slipstick.com/developer/code-samples/macro-export-outlook-fields-excel/ has an excel version (linked to a text file) - while it can easily be tweaked to work on any folder. If you don't need recurring events, that should actually work.
I'll take a look at it tonight - it shouldn't be too much effort to convert it. (Will add the macro to https://www.slipstick.com/developer/list-meeting-attendees-responses/ when it's updated).
Hi Diane,
The .ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1) doesn't work when using it together with Outlook send button. I'm trying to add something on the body after clicking the send button. What it does is send the email then change the currently selected item's body.
Regards,
Jake
For that, you need to use an itemsend macro. There is an example here that adds attachment names to the body:
I am beginner on Outlook VBA. I'm trying write a VBA on Outlook calendar. the requirement is when user click one of selected shared calendar, all others are deselected and change view to List mode. But I struggle on how to handle this steps. Please help for assist!
The macro at https://www.slipstick.com/developer/code-samples/select-multiple-calendars-outlook/ shows how to enabled/disable calendars - the second does it when you select the calendar module. I'm not sure if you can do it when a calendar is selected, it would need to use an on change event and I'm not sure the module supports that.
I am new with VBA in Outlook (I am using Outlook 365). I want a piece of vba to insert a message line in an already open email. the email comes via Word and has a file attached. I want to use a button to insert the subject and message.
I put "Set objItem = objApp.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem" as first line, but when I run the vba I just get an error. where can I find some examples, please, of vba to insert subject, message, etc
you want to add the subject to the email message or to the file attachment (which i assume is a word document)?
yes, the attachment is a word document, I make the word document and then want to email it to someone, in word I use the "email" button in the tool bar... then I have a new email in outlook created automatically with the document word file attached. I have managed to work out how to insert the subject and email message when creating a new email message, but of course that won't work with an email message that is already open. I understand that I have to use the ActiveInspector command, but I just can't get it to work ... hence I would be very grateful if I could find some examples of how to add subject, email message, etc to a new email that is already open. with many thanks ... Albert
this would work with the active outlook item:
Set objmail = application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
with objmail
.subject = "my subject"
.body = "this is my message"
end with
Great, thanks.
my previous reply has been deleted? where can I buy a copy of your beginners book for VBA in Outlook
thanks ... Albert
Not deleted, just not approved yet. I keep everything that needs an answer in the moderation queue until i have time to answer. This makes it easier to find the comments that need an answer.
I'm assuming you are looking for one of Sue Mosher's books? Her most recent outlook programming book is for outlook 2007 - although out-of-date in some ways, the basics of vba haven't changed much. It won't touch on some features new to outlook though.
https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Mosher/e/B001H6GL4K/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 - used book prices aren't too bad, the kindle prices are out of sight.
In your header to the page you say that you are the author of several books, one of them is Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. I thought that perhaps that would help me learn about using VBA in Outlook (although I am using Outlook 365, I think Outlook is v15). what do you recommend, please?
I touch a little on VBA in the book, but not much (it's targeted to new outlook users) - at this point, you'd learn more from my web site. A book specific about programing would be better. Most of the "modern" books on VBA cover all office apps. I have not looked at any of them, but they would give you a grounding in VBA in general. There is a lot of VBA knowledge that is transferable between the applications, but Outlook adds a layer of complexity with the main outlook window and each item type and the reading / open / compose message options.
Thanks I was struggling with this.
I wanted two similar macros one operating on selections from the Inbox list and the other on an open mail item. Had no idea how to do the latter.
Set GetCurrentItem = objApp.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
will fail if the selection is a header. So for example if the selection is on a header "Today" of a collapsed groupo containing all of Today's messages then Selection.Count returns zero.
How do we obtain all the messages in that collapsed group?
Correct, you need to select a single item in a group (or a single item, which is a group too). At this time, i don't think you can select them using a single command. You'd need to check the date (or another value) and loop through all.