conflict with Outlook rules?

[sep]

I installed Categorize Plus last weekend. Today, i noticed that my outlook rules are not working. If i run them manually, they do work. I have not set any criteria for actions in the categorize plus categories. Any chance there is a conflict?

[JonZimmerman]

Sep,

Can you provide an example of a rule that is not working? 

Perhaps you are referring to the pre-installed Outlook view filters.  For example, the pre-installed Outlook view filter that allow users to view only completed tasks for instance.  If this is the case, then I do know that your pre-installed Outlook view filters do not work with Categorize Plus.  The reason is, when the user applies a filter using CP, then CP over-writes the filter that is currently applied in the current Outlook view.  Unfortunately, programmers have no reliable way to determine the currently applied filter in Outlook, and therefore, the only option is to over-write the current filter when a new filter is applied.

A workaround is to use a Categorize Plus Filter Menu item to perform the filter that you are trying to apply in your Outlook view.  The exact same filter that you are using in your Outlook view can be created using either a Categorize Plus Standard Filter or a Custom Filter menu item.  In fact, when creating Custom Filter menu items, Categorize Plus uses the same Outlook Filter Dialog to allow the user to enter the filter criteria.  This filter can then be applied using Categorize Plus, and Categorize Plus can also be configured to save the filter combo box by view name.  Therefore, whenever you display that view, Categorize Plus will automatically apply the filter combo box.  I have provided links below to the help topics that explain how this works.

On line Help Topics:

- Categorize Plus Menu Items:  http://www.veranosoft.com/reference/scr/html/Menu%20Types.htm
  which explains the different types of menu items

- Standard Filter Menu Items:  http://www.veranosoft.com/reference/scr/html/Standard%20Filters%20Menu.htm
  Which explains the different Standard Filter menu items.

- Entering Outlook Filter Criteria:  http://www.veranosoft.com/reference/scr/html/Custom Filter.htm
  which explains how to enter custom filter criteria for Filter Menu Items

- Save Combo Boxes Options: http://www.veranosoft.com/reference/scr/html/Save Combo Boxes Options.htm
  which explains how to configure Categorize Plus to save filter combo boxes by view name

Let me know if this answers your questions,

Best regards,

Jon Zimmerman
VeranoSoft

[sep]

I have several rules in my Outlook InBox using the Rules Wizard set up to auto-categorize email as it comes in--no moving of email, just categorizing. It is set up to do this automatically. My rules are below the size limit for rules. Now, they will not work automatically. They work fine manually.

In the meantime, i read some of the posts here and see the CP will do this as well, so I'm going to try the rules there, instead of through the OL Rules Wizard.

[JonZimmerman]

Yes, I was able to confirm that if the user selects the Categorize Plus option to "Erase categories when receiving items" or the option to "Auto categorize items added to the default Inbox folder", then Categorize Plus over-writes the categories that are assigned when using the Outlook rules to auto assign categories. 

It sort of makes sense to remove these categories when the option is selected to "Erase categories when receiving items", but it dosen't make sense when the option is selected to "Auto categorize items added to the default Inbox folder".  Therefore, I have just now made a change to Categorize Plus that will preserve the categories assigned by the Outlook rules even when the Categorize Plus option is selected to "Auto categorize items added to the default Inbox folder".  Please use the link below to download and try this new version.

New Version:  http://www.veranosoft.com/updates/CategorizePlus.2.0.176.msi

In this new version, the categories assigned by Outlook will not be removed by Categorize Plus even when you select the option to "Auto categorize items added to the default Inbox folder".  However, you will still need to de-select the Categorize Plus option to "Erase categories when receiving items".  This is done by selecting "Categorize" -> "Tools" -> "Options..." and then deselecting "Erase categories when receiving items".

Let me know if this new version solves the problem that you experienced.

[sep]

That did it!! Thanks.

in the meantime i had realized that i couldn't use CP to do what i wanted, so i'm glad you were able to make this change. I want to apply categories to new mail from various subscription services. The subject line is rarely consistent, and the email address is not "simple" as there are a lot of mass distribution services. Some is junk mail, but a lot is from various groups, etc. I'll still play around with CP to see if it can do it, but this really helps. Thanks again.