‘HowTo samples’ category archive
Localization of Office add-ins using forms-based resources
Dmitry Kostochko | December 20th, 2016
The article describes how to create a localized version of an Office add-in by using regular forms-based resources without having to apply them manually to each component, form or control... Read the rest of this entry →
Working with Outlook attachments programmatically: C# code examples
Pieter van der Westhuizen | January 23rd, 2015
Many Outlook developers have been faced with programmatically accessing and working with Outlook Item attachments. All Outlook items have the Attachments property, which means attachments can be added to MailItem, ContactItem and AppointmentItem items, to name a few. In this article we'll explore some facets of handling and interacting with attachments in Outlook... Read the rest of this entry →
Creating and modifying PowerPoint presentations (end-to-end sample)
Ty Anderson | March 17th, 2014
We're drawing our PowerPoint series to a close and it only makes sense to end with an "end-to-end" sample. See what I did there? We've covered the base objects and provided code samples. Today, I'll tie them together in a single add-in that supports a specific business use case... Read the rest of this entry →
Creating and modifying MS Project files programmatically
Pieter van der Westhuizen | February 28th, 2014
In my last two articles we looked at the MS Project object model and how to customize the MS Project UI. In this article, we'll take what we've learned and explore how you can use data from other sources to either create or add to your MS Project files.... Read the rest of this entry →
Project 2013 UI customization
Pieter van der Westhuizen | February 21st, 2014
When it comes to developing add-ins for Microsoft Project you cannot be blamed for feeling that MS Project is a bit of a second-rate citizen in the MS Office suite of products. Its object model does not feel quite as polished as the Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel object models... Read the rest of this entry →
Programming for Microsoft Project 2013
Pieter van der Westhuizen | February 14th, 2014
Microsoft Project is a product that not many people realize is part of the Microsoft Office family. It is also a product that most users do not have on their PC. Where you do see it, however, is on the computer of many project managers and herein lies the opportunity for us as Office developers... Read the rest of this entry →
PowerPoint add-in development in Visual Studio: Application and base objects
Ty Anderson | February 12th, 2014
Like all Office apps, the main object in the PowerPoint object model is the Application object. Underneath it we have a few key objects that will allow us to achieve most of our development goals. Here is summary of PowerPoint's base objects... Read the rest of this entry →
Working with custom Outlook properties: C# code examples
Pieter van der Westhuizen | January 15th, 2014
Microsoft Outlook provides a rich interface for developers to add their own custom properties to Outlook Folders and Items. The Outlook Object model provides two objects when working with custom properties... Read the rest of this entry →
How to create and modify Outlook-specific files
Pieter van der Westhuizen | December 20th, 2013
Microsoft Outlook produces and uses a variety of file types. The most common and well known fields are either .pst or .ost files. These two file types are known as Outlook Data Files, the .pst file is known as the Personal Outlook Data file and stores you messages and other Outlook items... Read the rest of this entry →
Create a status report generator using Excel and Outlook: C# sample
Ty Anderson | December 16th, 2013
Today, I'll show you how to create a status report using Excel and Outlook. This add-in sample will run within Excel. The user will have a button to click that starts the report process. Instead of creating a new workbook or worksheet, the add-in will insert the task status report into the existing spreadsheet... Read the rest of this entry →
How to import contacts and appointments from Excel into Outlook and vice-versa
Pieter van der Westhuizen | December 11th, 2013
Importing contacts and appointments into Microsoft Outlook is a feature that has existed in Outlook for a while. In Outlook 2013 you can find the Import/Export function in the File or Backstage view menu, under Open & Export... Read the rest of this entry →
How to find the last used cell (row or column) in Excel
Ty Anderson | December 6th, 2013
VB.NET code samples explain some reliable methods for finding the last used cell in an Excel worksheet or a range.... Read the rest of this entry →
Convert an Excel column number to a column name or letter: C# and VB.NET examples
Pieter van der Westhuizen | November 13th, 2013
There are a lot of examples floating around on the internet on how to convert Excel column numbers to alphabetical characters. There are a few ways to get the column letter, using either vanilla C# or VB.NET, Excel formulas or the Excel object model. Let's take a look at some of the solutions... Read the rest of this entry →
How to properly release Excel COM objects
Pieter van der Westhuizen | November 5th, 2013
You'll see a lot of complaints on the internet about Excel and other Microsoft Office applications not quitting properly after using the object model to perform certain actions, or showing sporadic and unpredictable behavior in COM add-ins. In the end most of these issues boil down to developers not properly disposing of COM objects... Read the rest of this entry →
Working with Excel pivot tables: VB.NET code examples
Ty Anderson | October 31st, 2013
Today, I'll show-off some code that shows how to automate pivot tables. It's quite likely your user base is 100% comprised of uber-serious spreadsheet jockeys. These people need your help. This code will help you relate to them and make their life easier... Read the rest of this entry →
Importing data from SQL databases and other sources to Microsoft Excel
Pieter van der Westhuizen | October 30th, 2013
A number of people I've met had no idea about one of Microsoft Excel's most powerful features. I'm talking about the ability to add data from external sources to your Excel sheet and manipulate it from there. Of course as a developer this can come in very handy when you want to provide your users with an intuitive and flexible way to access your data and empower them to create their own reports... Read the rest of this entry →