Outlook 2007 is the first version to be able to display a custom form layout in the preview pane, using the new form region feature. In earlier versions, the best you can do is "be careful" as you say and remove certain MAPI properties so that the item body (not the custom form layout) shows in the preview pane.

I'm not a MAPI programming but I would expect your IPM.Note.something form to display its Body property in the preview pane.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.turtleflock.com/olconfig/index.htm
and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx

"Jan Reher" Jan wrote in message ...
Greetings,

I have written a custom Outlook form for an IPM.Note-derived message class
using COM and C++ as described in Ben Goetter's MAPI book. I would like
messages of this message class to be displayed in Outlook's preview pane. How
do I do this?

From surfing the net I get the impression that this is not possible. Only
forms made with Outlook's built-in form designer tool are able to communicate
with the preview pane, and then only if you are careful.

Please prove me wrong.


Best regards,
Jan Reher