Is it possible to access Outlook from the SMTP library? ( C# console application )

Question

I have a C# application that has to attach a file and email it to people.

Currently I've been having it use the SMTP library and putting in the recipient addresses by hand (technically, by a configuration file). But I realize it would be a lot better to do the emails by emailing global distribution lists rather than manually inputting the emails by hand.

Is there a way to send emails to global distribution lists via a configuration file using SMTP? Or will I have to use Microsofts' Outlook dll? If I have to use Outlook, could someone point me to some example code to get me started?

Answer 1

Accessing outlook is independent of using SMTP, you can use the following:

The following demostrates how to retreive data from items within an Outlook folder (called "MySubFolderName" under the Inbox folder) using .NET:

First add a reference to the Outlook COM object your project:

1. In VS.NET right click on References and choose Add Reference.
2. Select the COM tab
3. Choose "Microsoft Outlook 11.0 Object Library" (this is for MS Office 2003 - I think 10.0 is for Office XP) and click Select.
4. Click OK.

Note that you can access any Outlook/Exchange object types, eg Appointments, Notes, Tasks, Emails etc - just use intellisense to select which one (eg Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook. ... - see definition of variable called 'item' below).

Here's the code:

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.Application app = null;
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook._NameSpace ns = null;
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.PostItem item = null;
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.MAPIFolder inboxFolder = null;
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.MAPIFolder subFolder = null;

try
{
  app = new Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.Application();
  ns = app.GetNamespace("MAPI");
  ns.Logon(null,null,false, false);

  inboxFolder = ns.GetDefaultFolder(Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.OlDefaultFolders.olFolderInbox);
  subFolder = inboxFolder.Folders["MySubFolderName"]; //folder.Folders[1]; also works
  Console.WriteLine("Folder Name: {0}, EntryId: {1}", subFolder.Name, subFolder.EntryID);
  Console.WriteLine("Num Items: {0}", subFolder.Items.Count.ToString());

  for(int i=1;i<=subFolder.Items.Count;i++)
  {
    item = (Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.PostItem)subFolder.Items[i];
    Console.WriteLine("Item: {0}", i.ToString());
    Console.WriteLine("Subject: {0}", item.Subject);
    Console.WriteLine("Sent: {0} {1}" item.SentOn.ToLongDateString(), item.SentOn.ToLongTimeString());
    Console.WriteLine("Categories: {0}", item.Categories);
    Console.WriteLine("Body: {0}", item.Body);
    Console.WriteLine("HTMLBody: {0}", item.HTMLBody);
  }
}
catch (System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException ex)
{
  Console.WriteLine(ex.ToString());
}
finally
{
  ns = null;
  app = null;
  inboxFolder = null;
}

Answer 2

I might want to have been more specific.

I'm trying to send an email to a global distribution list in Microsoft Outlook using SMTP. Is that possible or do I have to use MS's Outlook COM

Answer 3

Hi Lance,

From your description , I ‘d like to move this post to  the most related forum .

There has more  experts in this aspect ,  you may have more luck getting answers .

Thanks for your understanding .

Regards ,

---

Lisa Zhu [MSFT]
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