Scripting

In the past, we have manually created 2 custom buttons on the Outlook 2007 Toolbar for each user; these two are linked to custom *.oft forms saved locally.

Here are the steps we use to create the button:

•Right click>customize>commands tab>actions>choose form
•We drag the choose form to the Outlook bar next to the print icon
•Right click ‘choose form’ icon>edit button image and assign hyperlink (local *.oft file - example attached)

I am looking into an automated or scripted deployment of these buttons and have found a few options: Outlook macro or a custom ribbon item. From my understanding of Outlook macros, “You cannot record macros in Outlook,” according to Microsoft, and you have to “Type or paste your code into the code window of the module.” I have also looked into the option of customizing the “compose new email” ribbon, but both options are out of my area of coding knowledge.

Additionally, I have heard that I could create a Microsoft VSTO (Visual Studio Tools for Office) add-in containing the custom interfaces.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to approach the creation or resolution of this, I would appreciate it. I do have experience with deployment, scripting of batch files and login scripts, but extensive VB is out of my experience level.