Why not use instant search? You can 'save' the criteria in a macro.
Code:
Sub SearchMacro()
Dim myOlApp As New Outlook.Application
txtSearch = "-search-criteria-here"
myOlApp.ActiveExplorer.Search txtSearch, olSearchScopeCurrentFolder 'limits it to the current folder
Set myOlApp = Nothing
End Sub
On the other hand, as easy as it is to make custom views, I would do that over search folders or macros. The search folder and views filter is identical, the results are identical - the only thing not identical is that the results are in-place rather than a persistent search folder.
Thanks for your suggestion, though, there are several drawbacks:
How do you launch you macro (if it's,say, a search for "done green tasks")? How many clicks does it take? Or, do you add each search as a button on ribbon?
As for me, folders are better, firstly, because they are well-located in the user interface. It's easy to navigate through them...
All views (except ToDo list) are limited to a single account. While I'd like, say, to see EVERYTHING (mail, done tasks, not started tasks...) in a green category...
The only way to do it is to search through "All Outlook items", but this might be rather slow.. (while search folders search in the background)
The search folder and views filter is identical, the results are identical - the only thing not identical is that the results are in-place rather than a persistent search folder.
The major difference is the way how you access them - you won't be able to conveniently deal with many categories, while there's not a big deal to create a hierarchy of 20 folders.
Search folders may have specific scope (a set of folders, say, colleagues) , which also might be useful....
Launch macros: ribbon or QAT buttons. It's one click. Yeah, takes up space on the ribbon (i have a ribbon just for macros)
An all items search shouldn't be slow - it uses the instant search index. Search folders are limited to one account, views to one folder at a time and instant search can search all folders.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.