OL97: How to Use Variables with Find and Restrict Filters (174476)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 97
This article was previously published under Q174476

SUMMARY

This article illustrates how to use a Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript) variable as part of the filter string for the Find or Restrict methods in the Microsoft Outlook object model.

MORE INFORMATION

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The Find method can be used to return a single Outlook item that matches certain criteria. The Restrict method returns a subset of a collection of items that matches certain criteria. The criteria for both methods is specified in the same way, as illustrated in the example below.

The Vbaoutl.hlp Help file that documents the Outlook object model incorrectly states that you cannot use a variable as part of the filter for these two methods. The following VBScript code sample illustrates syntax that uses variables as part of the filter. 
   ' Set the MyFldr object to the default Inbox.
   Set MyFldr = Item.Application.GetNameSpace("MAPI").GetDefaultFolder(6)

   ' MyVar is the subject of the mail message to search for.
   ' Change this to match a mail message in your Inbox.
   MyVar = "Please read!"

   ' This is the standard approach without using a variable.
   Set Itm = MyFldr.Items.Find("[Subject] = ""Please read!""")

   ' This approach uses Chr(34) to represent a quotation mark.
   Set Itm = MyFldr.Items.Find("[Subject] = " & Chr(34) & MyVar & Chr(34))

   ' This approach uses double quotation marks to represent a
   ' quotation mark.
   Set Itm = MyFldr.Items.Find("[Subject] = """ & MyVar & """")

   ' Display the date/time the found mail message was created (just
   ' for verification purposes).
   MsgBox Itm.CreationTime

REFERENCES

For more information about installing the Vbaoutl.hlp Help file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

166738 OL97: How to Install Visual Basic Help

For more information on known error messages in Vbaoutl.hlp, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

169751 OL97: Errors in Outlook Visual Basic Help (Vbaoutl.hlp)

For more information about creating solutions with Microsoft Outlook 97, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

166368 OL97: How to Get Help Programming with Outlook

170783 OL97: Q&A: Questions about Customizing or Programming Outlook

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/23/2005
Keywords:kbcode kbhowto kbProgramming KB174476
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