Create editable meeting request with attendees from .ics

mtnrunner2 · External Since: Jul 20, 2009 Posts: 2

Is it possible to create an ics file that a user can open that will create
and pre-populate a new EDITABLE meeting request?

I tried creating a request then saving to an ics file, but when I open it in
Outlook 2007, the request is no longer editable and only the "reply" buttons
show, not the "send". I want the user to be able to edit the settings if they
wish first, then send the request from Outlook.

I'm testing in Outlook 2007 and plan to create the ics dynamically on a web
site, from which the user will download the ics. I'm confident that as long
as I can get the file correct I can do the download part.

Thanks.

Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlo · External Since: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3355

I don't think that's possible at all. Outlook doesn't support that from an
ICS.

--
Ken Slovak
[MVP - Outlook]
http://www.slovaktech.com
Author: Professional Programming Outlook 2007.
Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options.
http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm

"mtnrunner2" <mtnrunner2 DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1086E79F-5C57-410B-B9CA-0C733434EBEA@microsoft.com...
> Is it possible to create an ics file that a user can open that will create
> and pre-populate a new EDITABLE meeting request?
>
> I tried creating a request then saving to an ics file, but when I open it
> in
> Outlook 2007, the request is no longer editable and only the "reply"
> buttons
> show, not the "send". I want the user to be able to edit the settings if
> they
> wish first, then send the request from Outlook.
>
> I'm testing in Outlook 2007 and plan to create the ics dynamically on a
> web
> site, from which the user will download the ics. I'm confident that as
> long
> as I can get the file correct I can do the download part.
>
> Thanks.

mtnrunner2 · External Since: Jul 20, 2009 Posts: 2

Actually I was able to do it with Outlook 2007/Vista after removing many of
the fields from the .ics file. Both the METHOD and ORGANIZER fields seem to
impact the editability once the file is opened in Outlook. Although I was not
able to get it to open at all in Outlook 2003 in Windows 2008 Server (which
happens to be my test virtual machine).

The button on the left says "Send update" rather than simply "Send", not
sure why that is. Perhaps I can get that to change with additional tweaks.

A very simple file with few fields worked:

BEGIN:VCALENDAR
BEGIN:VEVENT
ATTENDEE;CN="Fluffy The Cat":mailto:fluffy@sopheon.com
ATTENDEE;CN="Bubbles The Chimp":mailto:bubbles@sopheon.com
SUMMARY:Escaping The Zoo
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR

Thanks.

"Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]" wrote:

> I don't think that's possible at all. Outlook doesn't support that from an
> ICS.
>

Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlo · External Since: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3355

Send update refers to the fact that this is not a meeting request, instead
it's being treated as a received meeting. That's why there's no Send button.

--
Ken Slovak
[MVP - Outlook]
http://www.slovaktech.com
Author: Professional Programming Outlook 2007.
Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options.
http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm

"mtnrunner2" <mtnrunner2 DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5AD443E2-D760-4971-881D-C987D3391801@microsoft.com...
> Actually I was able to do it with Outlook 2007/Vista after removing many
> of
> the fields from the .ics file. Both the METHOD and ORGANIZER fields seem
> to
> impact the editability once the file is opened in Outlook. Although I was
> not
> able to get it to open at all in Outlook 2003 in Windows 2008 Server
> (which
> happens to be my test virtual machine).
>
> The button on the left says "Send update" rather than simply "Send", not
> sure why that is. Perhaps I can get that to change with additional tweaks.
>
> A very simple file with few fields worked:
>
> BEGIN:VCALENDAR
> BEGIN:VEVENT
> ATTENDEE;CN="Fluffy The Cat":mailto:fluffy@sopheon.com
> ATTENDEE;CN="Bubbles The Chimp":mailto:bubbles@sopheon.com
> SUMMARY:Escaping The Zoo
> END:VEVENT
> END:VCALENDAR
>
> Thanks.