Code Samples

Here are some code samples showing you how to exchange data among Office applications.

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		List of all code samples

Access

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
1	VBA	Create two Access add-ins 4/21/1998	Describes the creation of two Access add-ins: one is a Text Box Design Wizard; the other is a Form Picture Property Builder. Includes a library database with working add-ins.	code1.zip 224 KB
4	VBA	An Access 97 add-in that applies the Leszynski Naming Convention to database objects Updated 7/3/1999	An add-in that renames database objects (tables, queries, forms, reports, macros and modules), as well as controls on forms and reports, according to the Leszynski Naming Convention (LNC). This add-in was originally featured in a three-part article series in Smart Access, in the summer of 1998. The zip file includes a trial version of Rick Fisher's Find And Replace add-in. Use this version for Access 97.	code4.zip 1.5 MB code4NoFAR.zip 470 KB
10	VBA	An Access 2000 add-in that applies the Leszynski Naming Convention to database objects Updated 30-Sep-2007	An add-in that renames database objects (tables, queries, forms, reports, macros and modules), as well as controls on forms and reports, according to the Leszynski Naming Convention (LNC). The Access 97 version of this add-in was originally featured in a three-part article series in Smart Access, in the summer of 1998. Now supports your own custom LNC tags. The zip file includes a trial version of Rick Fisher's Find And Replace add-in. Works in Access 2000 through 2003.	code10.zip 2,616 KB code10NoFAR.zip 973 KB
11	VBA	An Access 97 add-in that creates a main menu for a database. 6/13/1999	This add-in creates a main menu for an Access database, with drop-down lists of forms and reports for selection, and option buttons for selecting report mode and date range. This add-in was originally featured in an April 1999 Smart Access article.	code11.zip 740 KB
12	VBA	An Access 2000 add-in that creates a main menu for a database. Updated 13-Jan-2004	This add-in creates a main menu for an Access database, with drop-down lists of forms and reports for selection, a backup button, and option buttons for selecting report mode and date range. The Access 97 version of this add-in was originally featured in an April 1999 Smart Access article. Works in Access 2000 through 2003.	code12.zip 1523 KB
20	VBA	An Access 2002 add-in that creates backups of front and back end databases, copies of database objects, and listings of table and query fields. 7-Aug-2007	Lets you back up front end Access databases and the most common types of back end databases (Access .mda and .accda, Excel .xls and .xlsx, comma-delimited and fixed-width text files), and make copies of database objects (individually or in groups); also lists table and query fields, by table field order or alphabetically. Lets you specify a custom backup prefix or suffix for database object backups. Works in Access 2002 or higher.	code20.zip 799 KB
22	VBA	An Access 97 add-in that lets you apply one of a set of design schemes to forms in a database 7/8/2001	This add-in lets you apply one of a set of four standard color schemes, or a custom color scheme you create, to a new form you are creating, or to an existing form (or selection of forms). The add-in uses the CommonDialog control that comes with the ODE for Access 97.	code22.zip 665 KB
26	VBA	Demonstrates selecting report sorting fields and filter values from a form 9/12/1999	The sample database has a table of sample data, two reports, and two forms, which use combo boxes and a multi-select list box to let users select fields for sorting, or values for filtering the selected report.	code26.zip 82 KB
36	VBA	An Access 2000 add-in that lets you apply one of a set of design schemes to forms in a database Updated 13-Jan-2004	This add-in lets you apply one of a set of four standard color schemes, or a custom color scheme you create, to a new form you are creating, or to an existing form (or selection of forms). The add-in uses the CommonDialog replacement code from the Access 2000 Developers Handbook. Works in Access 2000 through 2003.	code36.zip 696 KB
37	VBA	Sample query column expressions for splitting and concatenating name and address data 8/19/2001	Tables of sample data, either split into name and address components or with name (and address) components combined into single fields, with select and append queries to either parse out the separate components (such as Address1, Address2, Address3, LastName, MiddleName, FirstName), or concatenate separate components into combined fields (LastNameFirst, Address). Expressions can also be used in VBA code. Works in any version of Access.	code37.zip 68 KB
42	VBA	An Access 2002 database that stores information about ebooks, printed books and audio books *Updated* 28-Feb-2008	Demonstrates use of the Controls collection of a form and the Tag property of form controls to fill an array with data from the current record, for use in creating a new record with mostly the same data.	code42.zip 1,845 KB

Access Excel

Coming soon

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download

Access Outlook

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
17	VBS	Import Access data into Outlook contact items Updated 9/26/2000	Imports data from a table in an Access database, and uses the data to create Contact items in an Outlook folder. Shows the syntax for both standard and custom Outlook fields. Works with both Outlook 98/Access 97 and Outlook 2000/Access 2000.	code17.zip 123 KB
21	VBS	Filling an Outlook Combo Box or List Box from an Access table Updated 9/26/2000	Fills a combo box or list box on an Outlook form from code, pulling data from the Categories and Customers tables in the sample Northwind database provided with Access. Works with both Access 97 and Access 2000.	code21.zip 51 KB
49	VBA	Exporting Contact Data from Access to Outlook Updated 8/26/2000	Exports contact data stored in an Access table to new Outlook contacts, using a DAO recordset to pick up the data from the Access table, and the Add method of the Contacts folder's Items collection to create new Outlook contacts. Also includes buttons to create different types of Outlook items, and to list the Outlook folders.	code49.zip 211 KB

Access Word

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
2	VBA	Writing an Access Contact to a Word Letter Updated 7-Aug-2007	Using OLE Automation and Word custom document properties to create a single Word letter based on a template, with data from the current address on an Access form.	code2.zip 295 KB
3	VBA	Merging Access Data to Word Mailing Labels Updated 8/9/2000	This code sample prints contact addresses from an Access table to a Word document formatted for Avery #5160 address labels, using a DAO recordset that iterates through the records in the table, and puts one address in each cell of a Word table in the document.	code3.zip 138 KB
9	VBA	Importing Access Data into a Word Table Updated 9/26/2000	Imports data from a query in the sample Northwind database into a Word table, and sorts and formats the data to create a grouped report.	code9.zip 134 KB
24	VBA	Merging to Word Four Ways 6/9/2002	Demonstrates four ways to merge Access data to Word documents � Word document properties, bookmarks, the TypeText method and DDE mail merge. Both Access 97 and Access 2000 databases are provided; the Access 2000 database also works in Access 2002.	code24.zip 508 KB
25	VBA	Filling a listbox on a Word UserForm with data from Access 7/24/1999	Fills a listbox on a UserForm opened from a Word document with data from the Products table in the sample Northwind database. This code is for Office 2000.	code25.zip 16 KB
35	VBA	Selecting Access Contacts for a Word Merge Letter from a Multi-Select Listbox Updated 13-Apr-2005	Fills a listbox on a UserForm opened from a Word document with contact data from an Access table, and generates Word letters to the selected contacts. Works with both Office 97 and Office 2000.	code35.zip 223 KB

Excel Outlook

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
19	VBS	Open an Excel worksheet 3/10/1998	This sample includes an Outlook form and an Excel worksheet, demonstrating how to open a worksheet from a command button on the Outlook form.	code19.zip 11 KB
61	VBA	Create Distribution List from an Excel Worksheet 12-Aug-2007	This sample includes an Excel worksheet with a list of names and email addresses, and a saved VBA module containing a procedure that creates an Outlook Distribution List from data in the worksheet. Works in Office 2003, and probably in 2000, 2002 and 2007 as well.	code61.zip 294 KB

Outlook

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
5	VBS	Change contact items to another form using Item.Add 3/10/1998	This sample includes an Outlook form with a procedure running from a command button which takes data from Contact items in a folder and produces new contact items from a form of your choice. The new items are placed in another folder. You should use the method in Code Sample #28 first; use this only in the rare cases where that method doesn't work.	code5.zip 22 KB
14	VBS	Work with the Restrict clause 3/10/1998	This sample includes two Outlook forms demonstrating the use of the Restrict clause to select items from another folder and display them in a list box on a page of the form.	code14.zip 34 KB
23	VBS	Working with Outlook folders 3/10/1998	Demonstrates finding a folder by name, wherever it is located on the folder tree.	code23.zip 12 KB
28	VBS	Updating the message class of a form Updated 10/9/2000	The Reset Message Class form lets you change the message class (form) for items, to move your data to the new or upgraded form after making design changes.	code28.zip 67 KB
43	VBS	Parsing a multi-line address 5/3/1998	Shows how to parse two address lines in a multi-line contact address into separate variables representing Line 1 and Line 2, for exporting to another application.	code43.zip 14 KB
48	VBS	Copying Contact Items to Another Folder Updated 6/6/1998	Shows how to copy all items (or items filtered by Category) to another Outlook folder.	code48.zip 21 KB
51	VBS	Extracting an Attachment from a Task and Mailing It 5/25/1998	Demonstrates extracting and saving an attachment from a task item and mailing it as an attachment in a new mail message.	code51.zip 29 KB
52	VBS	Setting the Date and Time from Code 5/25/1998	Shows how to set the date and/or time for an appointment to start from VBS code, using date/time information entered in text fields on a form.	code52.zip 21 KB
53	VBS	Conditional Field Validation 6/11/1998	Shows how to apply conditional validation to a field, based on the value of another field; the code runs from the form's Write event	code53.zip 15 KB
54	VBS	Find a Text File and Mail It 6/11/1998	Finds a text file located in one of the standard folders, and mails it as an attachment to an Outlook mail message	code54.zip 14 KB
55	VBS	Display Contacts in a Combo Box 6/11/1998	Displays contact names or FileAs fields in a combo box on an Outlook form, where one can be selected for further processing	code55.zip 17 KB

Outlook Access

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
7	VBS VBA	Write Outlook contact and mail message data to an Access table Updated 4-Dec-2004	This code sample includes an Outlook form and an Access database. For Office 97, the code writes most of the standard Outlook fields from the current contact item to a new row in a table in the Access database. For Office 2000 or higher, an Outlook macro (VBA procedure) runs from a toolbar button, to export both standard and custom data from any contact item or mail message.	code7.zip 280 KB
15	VBA	The Outlook Automation Access 97 add-in 6/15/1999	An Access 97 add-in that automates importing data from custom Contact items (any Outlook version), including custom fields, into an Access 97 database. Also includes a function that generates an Access report listing all the fields in the tables in the current Access database.	code15.zip 290 KB
16	VBS	Export Outlook contact data to an Access table Updated 11/27/1999	Exports Contact data from items in an Outlook folder to a table in an Access database, and prints a report listing the contacts. Shows the syntax for both standard and custom Outlook fields. Works with both Outlook 98/Access 97 and Outlook 2000/Access 2000.	code16.zip 79 KB
18	VBA	The Outlook Automation Access 2000 add-in Updated 12/25/2001	An Access 2000 add-in that automates importing data from custom Contact items (any Outlook version), including custom fields, into an Access 2000 database. Also includes a function that generates an Access report listing all the fields in the tables in the current Access database.	code18.zip 221 KB
38	VBA	The Outlook Automation Access 2002 add-in 12/25/2001	An Access 2002 add-in that automates importing data from custom Contact items (any Outlook version), including custom fields, into an Access 2002 database. Also includes a function that generates an Access report listing all the fields in the tables in the current Access database.	code38.zip 240 KB
46	VBA	The Safe Outlook Automation Access 2002 add-in	An Access 2002 add-in that automates importing data from custom Contact items, including custom fields, into an Access 2002 database. Also includes a function that generates an Access report listing all the fields in the tables in the current Access database. Uses Dmitry Streblechenko's Redemption Library to avoid the Object Model Guardian pop-ups.	code46.zip 241 KB
59	VBS, VBA	Importing Contacts from a Text File into Outlook Updated 9/26/2000	Shows how to import contacts from a comma-delimited text file into an Outlook Contacts folder, using Access as an intermediary	code59.zip 240 KB

Outlook Access Word

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
50	VBS and VBA	Exporting Contacts to a Mail Merge Document 5/18/1998	Demonstrates exporting contacts in a particular folder to a Word mail merge document of the Form Letters type (one letter per page), with a choice of using an Access table or a text file as the data source for the mail merge document.	code50.zip 93 KB

Outlook Excel

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
41	VBA	Exporting Contact Items to an Excel Worksheet *Updated* 5-Sep-2007	Uses an Outlook VBA procedure to export all the contacts from the selected Contacts folder into an Excel worksheet called Contacts.xls, where each contact's information creates a new row. A few built-in fields are exported, plus one custom field, to demonstrate the syntax. Requires Office 2000 or higher.	code41.zip 53 KB
47	VBA	Exporting Mail Items to an Excel Worksheet 5-Sep-2007	Uses a VBA procedure to export all the mail messages from the selected Contacts folder into an Excel worksheet called Messages.xls, where each message's information creates a new row. A few built-in fields are exported, plus one custom field, to demonstrate the syntax. Requires Office 2000 or higher	code47.zip 82 KB
58	VBS and VBA	Exporting Calendar Items to Excel *Updated* 9/17/2004	Shows how to export Calendar items to an Excel worksheet. For Office 97/Outlook 98, an Outlook form with VBS code is used; for Office 2000 or higher, an Outlook VBA procedure is used.	code58.zip 101 KB

Outlook Word

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
6	VBS	Select a Word template for merging Outlook contact data to a letter Updated 9/26/2000	This sample includes an Outlook form and a Word template. It demonstrates use of a Windows CommonDialog control to open a dialog where you can choose a Word template to use for creating a new letter using business or home name/address data from the current contact.	code6.zip 112 KB
13	VBA	Pull Outlook contact data into Word letters 3/10/1998	This sample includes two Word 97 templates with AutoNew macros that pick up basic contact information from the currently open Contact item in Outlook, and paste it to either bookmarks or custom doc properties in the new Word document created from the template. Includes a discussion of the relative merits of bookmarks and custom doc properties.	code13.zip 60 KB
29	VBA & VBS	Time & Expense Billing Application, Version 2 Updated 11-Jan-2008	A custom Outlook Journal template and two Word templates are used to create time and expense slips and generate attractively formatted Word invoices. Version 3 has separate versions of files for each Office version from 97 through 2007, plus Excel worksheets for importing slip data to other applications. For Office 2003 and 2007, there are also statements, and options for creating invoices with times to the nearest 1/10 or 1/4 hour.	code29.zip 5,401 KB
30	VBS	Creating Word Documents for Multiple Contacts Updated 5/3/2001	Displays contacts from a selected folder or an Access table in a multi-select listbox on an Outlook form, and generates Word documents for the selected contacts. Works in both Office 97 (with Outlook 98) and Office 2000.	code30.zip 247 KB
31	VBA	Creating Word Documents for Multiple Contacts with the Selection Object Updated 7/6/2001	Uses the Outlook 2000 Selection object to select multiple contacts for Word letters or labels. Works only in Office 2000 or higher.	code31.zip 168 KB
32	VBA	Creating a Word Document with Data from an Outlook Mail Message 3/25/2002	Illustrates two methods of getting data from an open Outlook mail message and putting it into a Word document; one uses code on a Word template�s Document_New event and the other is an Outlook 2000 VBA procedure.	code32.zip 134 KB
33	VBA	Selecting Outlook Contacts for Word Letters from a Multi-Select Listbox 7/16/2000	A multi-select listbox on a Word UserForm popped up from a template’s New event lets users select contacts for a letter; letter text is picked up from the form. The TypeText method is used to write data to the letters. Works with both Office 97 and Office 2000.	code33.zip 139 KB
34	VBS	Exporting Outlook Contact Info to Word Letters Updated 6/24/2000	This code sample exports contact name and address data from an Outlook custom contact item to a choice of three Word templates, using either a combo box or an option group. The Outlook data is stored in custom doc properties in the Word document. The CommonDialog control is not used on the Outlook form.	code34.zip 44 KB
39	VBS	Exporting Outlook Contact Info to Word Letters Updated 9/26/2000	This sample has an Outlook form with three command buttons that use three different methods (DocProps, Bookmarks and TypeText) to insert information from an Outlook contact form to a new Word doc based on a template, using VBScript from Outlook. Three Word templates are included. (The VBScript code includes one custom field, to show the syntax for referencing Outlook custom fields.)	code39.zip 79 KB
40	VBA	Printing Labels with Outlook Contact Info from Word Updated 9/26/2000	A Word template uses VBA code in its New event procedure to pull in all the contacts in an Outlook folder of your choice, putting one address in each cell of a table sized to print on Avery #5160 or #5162 address labels, using the Add method of the Items collection to iterate through the contacts in the folder, creating sheets of address labels for all the contacts in the folder.	code40.zip 115 KB
56	VBA	Getting a Contact Address from the Address Book 7/27/1998	Shows how to pop up the Address Book from a Word template's AutoNew procedure; information from several fields of the selected address are stored in the document's custom doc properties, and displayed in fields on the document.	code56.zip 58 KB

Word Access

No.	VB Dialect	Title Date Last Uploaded	Summary	File to Download
8	VBA	Exporting Word Tables to Access Tables *Updated* 12/13/2001	Demonstrates exporting data in a series of Word tables in a Word document to two Access tables, linked one-to-many.	code8.zip 143 KB