There is no API for Outlook Express to access messages. The only MAPI
support in Outlook Express is for sending messages.

Microsoft doesn't even provide any documentation on the format of the OE
DBX files, where messages are stored.

There is a 3rd party program that can provide some of the information
that you need, but I don't believe that it has any program interface for
you.

OEX Enhancements - Import/Export/Resend/Duplicates/Attachments, etc.
http://www.oehelp.com/OEX/Default.aspx

--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm


"Chris Shearer Cooper" wrote in message
...
My (C++ MFC) program needs to be able to scan all email messages found
in Outlook and/or Outlook Express and provide the user with
information about them. I need to know, for each email message, basic
information like date/time, sender, text, subject, and then I need
access to any attachments. I will not be sending any messages,
receiving any messages, scanning the contact list, etc.

I've seen a lot of different ways for programs to communicate with
Outlook and Outlook Express (MAPI, Extended MAPI, etc.) but nothing
that really summarizes which approaches work for which versions of
Outlook and Outlook Express, and which version of Windows. For
example, I've seen web pages that recommend Extended MAPI to avoid
triggering security prompts, but (1) I don't think I'm doing anything
that would trigger a security prompt, and (2) I don't know if (for
example) early versions of Outlook Express running on Windows 98SE
even had Extended MAPI.

This is going to run on retail customers personal computers, so I
can't assume they will have Exchange running.

Does anyone have suggestions ...
(1) which approach (MAPI, Extended MAPI, etc.) would allow me the
limited amount of information I need to access, and support the
greatest range of versions of Outlook and Outlook Express and also
versions of Windows (without installing additional DLLs)
(2) a library (commercial or free) that handles a lot of the grunt
work for me?

Thanks!
Chris