Using WPF control in the Backstage area

Question

We have an add-in created for Outlook 2010. There is some user configuration required for the add-in so our designer created a WPF control in Expression Blend for us to use. We want to place this WPF control in the backstage area. It looks to me like the Backstage area is completely based in XML and that we cannot use the WPF control. Is this correct?

We want to avoid having to use XML to layout all the controls on our own custom tab in the backstage area if at all possible. Is there any way to do that?

Thanks,

Erin

Answer 1

Hello Erin,

Thanks for posting. The only way we could customize Backstage view in Office 2010 is to use Ribbon XML. However, by using Ribbon XML, there is no a way to use WPF control. This is what I know. So, it is right that WPF control could not be used in Backstage view.

For your second question, as far as I see, the only way to customize Backstage view is to use Ribbon XML. And all resources on this topic are doing so. For these resources, please see as below:

Customizing the Office 2010 Backstage View for Developers 
Backstage View and Ribbon | Microsoft Office 2010, UI | MSDN  

If you have any concern for this post, just feel free to follow up. Have a nice day.

Best regards,
Bessie Zhao - MSFT
MSDN Subscriber Support in Forum
If you have any feedback of our support, please contact [e-mail].

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Answer 2

Hello again Erin,

I am writing to check the status of the issue on your side. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know. I will be more than happy to be of assistance.

Best regards,
Bessie Zhao - MSFT
MSDN Subscriber Support in Forum
If you have any feedback of our support, please contact [e-mail].

---

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.