Outlook Filter Criteria

The text stored in the criteria field of Outlook Filter Menu Items represent a user defined Outlook SQL query string that can be applied directly as an Outlook filter. When an Outlook Filter Menu Item is selected from the Categorize Plus Filter Menu, then Categorize Plus reads the SQL query string that is stored in the menu item's criteria field. Categorize Plus then appends this query string directly to the currently applied Outlook filter. For more information on how Categorize Plus uses Outlook Filter Menu Items to filter Outlook items, then please refer to the Outlook Filter help topic. If you are connected to the internet and wish to learn more regarding how filters are used in Outlook, then click here to open a Microsoft Outlook help topic that explains how to filter items and files in Outlook views.

Entering Outlook Filter Criteria

Since the SQL query string that is used in Outlook Filters employs strict rules for syntax, the Outlook Filter criteria cannot be entered directly into the menu item's criteria field. Instead, the criteria must be entered using either the Outlook Filter dialog explained in the following example, or it can be selected from the Outlook Filter criteria drop down list that is shown in the illustration below. The criteria drop down list contains the filter criteria that is applied by the currently displayed Filter Combo Boxes in the Categorize Plus Toolbar. If there are no Filter Combo Boxes displayed in the Categorize Plus Toolbar, then there will be no filter criteria listed in the criteria drop down list.

Please refer to the following example to learn how to use the Outlook Filter dialog to enter filter criteria. The example below explains how to use the Outlook Filter dialog to create an Outlook Filter that filters the current view for All Day Events.

Note: The available Outlook Filter dialog options will change depending on the current folder's default item type. For example, Mail and Post items present different Outlook Filter dialog criteria options than those presented for Appointment items. Therefore, be sure to select a folder that has the desired default item type before attempting to create an Outlook Filter criteria using the method below.

Example using the Outlook Filter dialog to create Outlook Filter Criteria

Step 1: Select the action button to open the Outlook Filter dialog as shown below

Outlook Filter Dialog:

Step 2: Select the "Advanced" tab to display the advanced filter options

Step 3: From the "Field" drop down menu, select the "All Appointment fields" menu, and then select the "All Day Event"

Step 4: Select "Yes" under the value combo box

Step 5: Select "Add to List" and then "OK"

Step 6: Menu Builder will automatically copy the SQL string to the Filter Criteria