SAMPLE: FormServer Implements a C++ MAPI Form with IDispatch

The MyFormServer.exe sample shows one way to write a custom MAPI form. This sample is a Visual C++ version 6.0 Active Template Library (ATL) project that implements all the necessary components of a MAPI form and form server. This MAPI form also implements the IDispatch interface, which is required of all forms in Outlook 2000 and later.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: February 20, 2001

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. To use this sample, follow these steps:

1. Unzip FormServer.exe into its own folder. Make sure that the subfolders, especially DebugBuild, are created when you unzip the file.
2. Load MyFormServer.dsw into Visual Studio version 6.0 or later.
3. Press F7 to build the debug project.

Once the form server is built, you can install it into a Forms folder in Outlook for testing. To install the form into the Inbox, follow these steps:

1. In Outlook, right-click Inbox, and then click Properties.
2. Click Forms, and then click Manage.
3. Click Install and locate the DebugBuild that folder you created.
4. In the DebugBuild folder, select MyFormServer.cfg.
5. Outlook displays a dialog box that confirms the installation. To install the form, click OK.

To create a new item using the form, click Actions, and then click New MyForm.

Debugging Tip

Launch MyFormServer.exe directly from the debugger. This loads the server in an idle mode so it is waiting for a client to make use of it. You can set breakpoints throughout the code (such as on CMyMAPIForm::Load) and watch them fire when the client manipulates your form.