XCLN: Using Hypertext Markup Language Forms and Public Folders (257370)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook HTML Form Converter
  • Microsoft Outlook Web Access 5.5
  • Microsoft Outlook 97
  • Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q257370

SYMPTOMS

If you use Outlook Web Access (OWA) to gain access to a public folder that is configured as an Outlook contacts folder, you may receive the following error message:
This Version of Outlook only supports your primary contact folder.
If you click OK, you are returned you to your primary Contacts folder in your mailbox.

CAUSE

This issue can occur because although you can create Outlook modules as folders in Exchange Server public folders, those Outlook modules are not visible from OWA. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

186707 XWEB: Cannot Open a Contact or Calendar Public Folder in OWA

This behavior is by design in the current version of OWA.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, allow this capability by using 32-bit Outlook forms and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) forms. Further variations or customizations beyond those that are discussed in this article may require the assistance of Microsoft Developer Support. The following steps assume that Exchange Server and OWA have been installed and are functioning properly.

Terms

  • Outlook modules. Outlook Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes, and Journal folders.
  • 32-bit Outlook client. Any version of Outlook for Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, or Microsoft Windows NT.
  • 32-bit Outlook forms. Custom forms created using the 32-bit Outlook client.
  • HTML Forms. Sometimes called Web Forms, these are HTML versions of 32-bit Outlook forms.
  • HTML Form Converter. A utility that is designed to assist in converting some 32-bit Outlook forms into HTML Forms.

Using 32-bit Outlook Forms and HTML Forms

  1. Install the Existing Items Converter for Outlook.For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    241220 OL2000: General Information About the Existing Items Converter

  2. Create a new public folder as a standard mail items folder. Click the newly created folder from Outlook.
  3. Use 32-bit Outlook to open a standard contact form and enter design mode by clicking Forms on the Tools menu, and then clicking Design this Form.
  4. Edit the form as necessary, click Forms on the Tools menu, and then click Publish Form As. Use a unique name (for example, IPM.Contact.Custom) when you publish the form. Publish the form to the public folder that you created earlier.
  5. Create at least one contact in the public folder by using the newly installed form.
  6. Use the Outlook Existing Items converter to change the message class of the items in this folder to match the newly created forms message class (for example, IPM.Contact.Custom).
  7. Open the properties of the public folder, click the General tab, and then click the custom form in the When posting to this folder, use box. Click OK.
  8. Use the HTML Form Converter to convert the new form.For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    191014 How to Obtain the Latest Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack

MORE INFORMATION

After you perform this procedure, when users access the public folder from either a 32-bit Outlook client or by using OWA the users see the correct content displayed by using the custom form. Furthermore, new items may be created in the folder by using the custom form from either a Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) client or OWA.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/28/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB257370
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