DOCUMENT:Q151690 01-MAY-2001 [exchange] TITLE :XCLN: What is the 'Custom' Rule Action For? PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER::4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbusage ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client, version 4.0 - Microsoft Exchange Windows 95/98 client, version 4.0 - Microsoft Outlook 2000 - Microsoft Outlook 98 - Microsoft Outlook 97 - Microsoft Outlook 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= A Custom Rule Action is a DLL which contains code which may be called as a consequence of a rule firing. This article explains how to register a Custom Rule Action DLL so it is available as an option. MORE INFORMATION ================ The Microsoft Exchange client for Windows has an option under Tools, Inbox Assistant, Add (or Edit) rule, called Custom. In Outlook, this dialog can be reached through the Rules Wizard, by selecting 'perform a custom action'. This dropdown box is typically blank unless custom rule dll's have been registered. A custom rule action can be created using the Microsoft Exchange Software Development Kit (SDK). The custom dropdown option will use an entry in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Client. Specifically, the Microsoft Exchange client is looking for a Custom Actions key that is not available by default. Under this key, corresponding values for a rule processing .DLL file are included (this .DLL is created using the SDK). The following example illustrates this using an example found in the SDK under the registry value used for the above key called Launch: 4.0;c:\windows\system32\crarun.dll;1;00000101001100 With the registry entry and rule processing .DLL correctly configured, the user can then check the custom option and select the name displayed (in this case, Launch) from dropdown list to customize Inbox rule processing for the Microsoft Exchange client. A sample Custom Action agent, called CRARUN is available as part of the Exchange 5.5 SDK. See http:\\www.microsoft.com\downloads to obtain the SDK samples. Documentation is provided in the Platform SDK. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?URL=/library/psdk/exchserv/compnent_9wxf.htm and http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?URL=/library/psdk/exchserv/samples1_04vi.htm Also, for a sample Custom Action that invokes Visual Basic based code, see Q173915 A Visual Basic-Based Active Messaging Inbox Agent Additional query words: faq ====================================================================== Keywords : kbusage Technology : kbOutlookSearch kbExchangeSearch kbExchangeClientSearch kbZNotKeyword kbZNotKeyword2 kbOutlook2000Search kbOutlook2002Search kbOutlook97Search kbOutlook98Search kbZNotKeyword3 kbExchange400NT kbExchange400Win95 Version : :4.0 Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.