OL98: Programmatically-Created Attachment Loses Icon (198026)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 98
This article was previously published under Q198026

SYMPTOMS

Using Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript) or Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications code, you can attach one Microsoft Outlook item to another.

If you send a mail message with such an attachment, the person who receives the message may not be able to see the icon for the attachment. The attached item however, is intact and functions correctly.

CAUSE

This problem is a result of how you write the code for the item attachment. Using an object variable results in the problem described in the "Symptoms" section.

RESOLUTION

When attaching the second item to the first, use the ActiveInspector.CurrentItem object to reference the attached item. For an example of how to resolve this problem, see the "Corrected Code" section later in this article.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/partner/referral/

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Corrected Code

If you repeat the steps below but follow the comment instructions to use:

ItemToSend.Attachments.Add Application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem, 4
instead of 
    ItemToSend.Attachments.Add Item, 4
your e-mail message will include the attachment icon.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

  1. Create a new mail message.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Forms, and then click Design This Form.
  3. Drag to resize the message control, creating enough space for a CommandButton.
  4. Click the Control Toolbox button to view the Control Toolbox and drag a CommandButton to the form.
  5. On the Form menu, click View Code and then type the following VBScript code in the Script Editor. In the seventh line of the following code, be sure to change the placeholder to your e-mail name.
    Sub CommandButton1_Click()

   ' Saves the current mail item in the Inbox.
   Item.Save

   ' Create a new mail message.
   Set ItemToSend = Application.CreateItem(0)

   ' Change following line to your e-mail name to send message.
   ItemToSend.To = "Enter your e-mail name here!"
   ItemToSend.Subject = "test"

   ' The following line results in a blank icon for attachment.
   ' 4 is the olAttachmentType constant olByValue to create a link.
   ItemToSend.Attachments.Add Item, 4

   ' The following line will preserve the icon in the sent message
   ' if you substitute it for the line above.
   'ItemToSend.Attachments.Add Application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem, 4
   ItemToSend.Send

End Sub
  6. Close the VBScript editor.
  7. On the Form menu, click Run This Form.
  8. Click CommandButton1 to run the VBScript code.
You should receive a new message in your Inbox that contains the blank attachment icon. If you click the upper-left portion of the message area, you will see the bounding outline for the icon.

REFERENCES

For more information about creating solutions with Microsoft Outlook 98, please click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

180826 OL98: Resources for Custom Forms and Programming

182349 OL98: Questions About Custom Forms and Outlook Solutions

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/23/2005
Keywords:kbDSWNET2003Swept kbbug kbdtacode kbpending kbProgramming KB198026
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