I am experimenting with forms for the first time. I would like to create a
new form with a custom drop-down field.

I created a new mail and post items folder for my excercise. I then designed
a new form based on the Message form, saved and published it (in the new
folder). I then went to the folder properties to set the new form as the
default on the general tab. Unfortunately, when I try to select my custom
form from the "When posting to this folder, use:" drop-down menu I receive a
"You cannot create an item of this type in this folder" error message.

What am I doing wrong??

You're assuming that a message form can be posted in a folder. It can't. It's meant to be sent and, therefore, can never be the default for a folder. Custom message forms are usually a bad idea in general, unless they're destined for use only within your own organization where everyone uses Outlook.

I'd suggest that you experiment with maybe the contact form instead of a message form.

--
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

"tpmax" wrote in message ...
I am experimenting with forms for the first time. I would like to create a
new form with a custom drop-down field.

I created a new mail and post items folder for my excercise. I then designed
a new form based on the Message form, saved and published it (in the new
folder). I then went to the folder properties to set the new form as the
default on the general tab. Unfortunately, when I try to select my custom
form from the "When posting to this folder, use:" drop-down menu I receive a
"You cannot create an item of this type in this folder" error message.

What am I doing wrong??

The purpose is, in fact, trying to figure out if a message form would be
appropriate for streamlining internal communications. Everyone in my
organization uses Outlook on an Exchange server. What is the best way to
accomplish this?

"Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

You're assuming that a message form can be posted in a folder. It can't. It's meant to be sent and, therefore, can never be the default for a folder. Custom message forms are usually a bad idea in general, unless they're destined for use only within your own organization where everyone uses Outlook.

I'd suggest that you experiment with maybe the contact form instead of a message form.

--
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

"tpmax" wrote in message ...
I am experimenting with forms for the first time. I would like to create a
new form with a custom drop-down field.

I created a new mail and post items folder for my excercise. I then designed
a new form based on the Message form, saved and published it (in the new
folder). I then went to the folder properties to set the new form as the
default on the general tab. Unfortunately, when I try to select my custom
form from the "When posting to this folder, use:" drop-down menu I receive a
"You cannot create an item of this type in this folder" error message.

What am I doing wrong??

Publish the form to the Organizational Forms library on your Exchange server. Consult your Exchange administrator to see if you need permissions added to allow you to do that.

--
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

"tpmax" wrote in message news
The purpose is, in fact, trying to figure out if a message form would be
appropriate for streamlining internal communications. Everyone in my
organization uses Outlook on an Exchange server. What is the best way to
accomplish this?