How to Create a Custom Form in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook leats you create a Form. easily Typical examples of Outlook Forms as features include business cards, meeting requests, appointments, and email messages. All these forms are stored in a location known as the Standard Forms Library.

You can customize some of the sections of these Standard Forms by adding, replacing, or hiding certain parts. The customization of forms is particularly important if you need to send out emails with certain information requests. Here are the steps to follow to customize a unique form on Outlook.

Setting up the Developer Tab

The first thing to note is that you can only create a custom form on Outlook using the Developer tab. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Outlook.

Step 2: Right-click on the Ribbon then select Customize Ribbon from the list of options.

Step 3: On the new dialog box beneath the group titled Choose Commands From, select the drop-down and choose Main Tabs.

Step 4: Select Developer from the Options listed and click on Add located at the center of the dialog box.

Step 5: Beneath the group titled Customize the Classic Ribbon, tick the box beside Developer, then click on OK to close the dialog box.

Designing a Custom Form

With Developer now available on your Ribbon, you can access the Design a Form feature to create your new From.

Step 1: Within the Search Menu, type Design a Form. Alternatively, you can go to the Developer tab on the Ribbon, click on the Custom Forms group then click on Design a Form.

Step 2: On the new dialog box, select the drop-down and choose Standard Forms Library.

Step 3: Select the Form you would like to customize (we picked Appointment) from the listed options and click on Open.

Step 4: To add a new field or region to the open Form, select New Form Region from the Ribbon.

Step 5: From the list of fields shown, select a new field and click on New.

Step 6: Input details of the name of your new field, the type of data to be entered, the format for the data and select OK.

Step 7: On the tab beside your Form Name, select P.2 option.

Step 8: From the Ribbon, select the Page button.

Step 9: From the drop-down select Rename Page.

Step 10: Enter the name for the new Page and click on OK.

Step 11: Select Field Chooser from the Ribbon

Step 12: From the Field Chooser, drag the new fields created to the new Page.

Saving and Publishing a Form in Microsoft Outlook

Now that you have created your custom form, you need to save and distribute it. You can either save the form as a template or publish it directly to a folder. Here’s how it works:

Saving a Form on Microsoft Outlook

To save the new form as an Outlook Template, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: On the Ribbon tab select File.

Step 2: Click on Save As.

Step 3: Input File Name and Save File Type as Outlook Template.

In the future, you can always access the Form by selecting Choose Form from the Developer tab.

Note: By choosing Outlook Template, the file gets saved as .ost. However, on Microsoft Outlook 2013 users are not allowed to save certain forms as templates.

Publishing a Form in Microsoft Outlook

Another way to save a custom form is by publishing it. Here’s how it works:

Note: This doesn’t work in Office 2013 version.

Step 1: On the Ribbon tab select Publish.

Step 2: Select Publish Form As.

Step 3: On the new dialog box, select the drop-down beside Look In to choose a location for the new form.

Step 4: Enter a Display Name for the Form.

Step 5: Select Publish.

To access the Form, Select New Items from your Outlook Ribbon, More Items, and then Choose Form.

Creating Voting Buttons in Microsoft Outlook

Creating forms in Microsoft Outlook helps you can customize the type of information you collect or send out. Another feature on Microsoft Outlook that allows you to collate data is the voting button. With the voting button, you can create a poll and track the responses received.