OL98: How to Use Variables with Find and Restrict Filters

ID: Q182453

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 98

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

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 the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/default.asp

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 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.
   MsgBox Itm.CreationTime

REFERENCES

For more information about creating solutions with Microsoft Outlook 98, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q180826
   TITLE     : OL98: Resources for Custom Forms and Programming

   ARTICLE-ID: Q182349
   TITLE     : OL98: Questions About Custom Forms and Outlook Solutions

Additional query words: OutSol OutSol98

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode OffVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:98
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999