Reading outlook .msg files

[Graham F French]

Hello,

I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg files as
they seem to be in a proprietry format.

Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an interpretation
method?

Thanks

Graham

Graham F French mcse

[Brian Henry]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you need to
know the data structure of the file.


"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg files[/color]
as[color=blue]
> they seem to be in a proprietry format.
>
> Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an interpretation
> method?
>
> Thanks
>
> Graham
>
> Graham F French mcse
>
>[/color]

[Graham F French]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.

Hope this helps.

Graham


"Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you need to
> know the data structure of the file.
>
>
> "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > Hello,
> >
> > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color][/color]
files[color=blue]
> as[color=green]
> > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> >
> > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color][/color]
interpretation[color=blue][color=green]
> > method?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Graham
> >
> > Graham F French mcse
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Graham,
The .msg format is not documented.

The "easiest" way to read it would be to have the App that defines the
format read it, in this case Outlook.

The following site provides a plethora of information on using Outlook from
..NET.

http://www.microeye.com/resources/res_outlookvsnet.htm

Hope this helps
Jay

"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg files[/color]
as[color=blue]
> they seem to be in a proprietry format.
>
> Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an interpretation
> method?
>
> Thanks
>
> Graham
>
> Graham F French mcse
>
>[/color]

[CJ Taylor]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

You've never worked with binary/random access file have you?


"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:eC%23ybJV9 DHA.3380@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Graham
>
>
> "Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
> news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you need[/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green]
> > know the data structure of the file.
> >
> >
> > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color][/color]
> files[color=green]
> > as[color=darkred]
> > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > >
> > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color][/color]
> interpretation[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > method?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Graham
> > >
> > > Graham F French mcse
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[CJ Taylor]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

I don't know if its on here... but a link for understanding (and the
formats) of many popular binary file types.

http://www.wotsit.org/search.asp?s=ALLFILES

CJ
"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:eC%23ybJV9 DHA.3380@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Graham
>
>
> "Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
> news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you need[/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green]
> > know the data structure of the file.
> >
> >
> > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color][/color]
> files[color=green]
> > as[color=darkred]
> > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > >
> > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color][/color]
> interpretation[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > method?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Graham
> > >
> > > Graham F French mcse
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Graham F French]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Jay,

Sorry, I do need to know how to read this file format directly into my
application.

I know that it can be done in VB6.

Cheers

Graham

"Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]" <Jay_Harlow_MVP @msn.com> wrote in message
news:uW6oN5V9DH A.3380@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Graham,
> The .msg format is not documented.
>
> The "easiest" way to read it would be to have the App that defines the
> format read it, in this case Outlook.
>
> The following site provides a plethora of information on using Outlook[/color]
from[color=blue]
> .NET.
>
> http://www.microeye.com/resources/res_outlookvsnet.htm
>
> Hope this helps
> Jay
>
> "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > Hello,
> >
> > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color][/color]
files[color=blue]
> as[color=green]
> > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> >
> > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color][/color]
interpretation[color=blue][color=green]
> > method?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Graham
> >
> > Graham F French mcse
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Graham F French]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

CJ,

You are dead right, I have never worked with binary.

I still consider myself as a newbie, text files are no problem, binary.....
not a chance!!

The site that you showed me has not got the msg format.

Any further help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Graham

"CJ Taylor" <nospam@blowgoa ts.com> wrote in message
news:10349h3npl hhbe1@corp.supe rnews.com...[color=blue]
> I don't know if its on here... but a link for understanding (and the
> formats) of many popular binary file types.
>
> http://www.wotsit.org/search.asp?s=ALLFILES
>
> CJ
> "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> news:eC%23ybJV9 DHA.3380@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Graham
> >
> >
> > "Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
> > news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you need[/color][/color]
> to[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > know the data structure of the file.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color]
> > files[color=darkred]
> > > as
> > > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > > >
> > > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color]
> > interpretation[color=darkred]
> > > > method?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Graham
> > > >
> > > > Graham F French mcse
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[CJ Taylor]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Hmm, sorry, didn't look through it enough... Sorry about that.. still
searching for a source of it.. but personally, I would use the Outlook
interop.
-CJ
"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:OZx%23peW9 DHA.3200@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> CJ,
>
> You are dead right, I have never worked with binary.
>
> I still consider myself as a newbie, text files are no problem,[/color]
binary.....[color=blue]
> not a chance!!
>
> The site that you showed me has not got the msg format.
>
> Any further help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Graham
>
> "CJ Taylor" <nospam@blowgoa ts.com> wrote in message
> news:10349h3npl hhbe1@corp.supe rnews.com...[color=green]
> > I don't know if its on here... but a link for understanding (and the
> > formats) of many popular binary file types.
> >
> > http://www.wotsit.org/search.asp?s=ALLFILES
> >
> > CJ
> > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:eC%23ybJV9 DHA.3380@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps.
> > >
> > > Graham
> > >
> > >
> > > "Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
> > > news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you[/color][/color][/color]
need[color=blue][color=green]
> > to[color=darkred]
> > > > know the data structure of the file.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > > Hello,
> > > > >
> > > > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in[/color][/color][/color]
msg[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > files
> > > > as
> > > > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > > > >
> > > > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an
> > > interpretation
> > > > > method?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > >
> > > > > Graham
> > > > >
> > > > > Graham F French mcse
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Graham F French]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

The problem is the client. Outlook will not be installed.

The msg files are saved to a shared server drive and my application needs to
read in the msg files.

Cheers

Graham

"CJ Taylor" <nospam@blowgoa ts.com> wrote in message
news:1034cppskq kb2c1@corp.supe rnews.com...[color=blue]
> Hmm, sorry, didn't look through it enough... Sorry about that.. still
> searching for a source of it.. but personally, I would use the Outlook
> interop.
> -CJ
> "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OZx%23peW9 DHA.3200@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > CJ,
> >
> > You are dead right, I have never worked with binary.
> >
> > I still consider myself as a newbie, text files are no problem,[/color]
> binary.....[color=green]
> > not a chance!!
> >
> > The site that you showed me has not got the msg format.
> >
> > Any further help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Graham
> >
> > "CJ Taylor" <nospam@blowgoa ts.com> wrote in message
> > news:10349h3npl hhbe1@corp.supe rnews.com...[color=darkred]
> > > I don't know if its on here... but a link for understanding (and the
> > > formats) of many popular binary file types.
> > >
> > > http://www.wotsit.org/search.asp?s=ALLFILES
> > >
> > > CJ
> > > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:eC%23ybJV9 DHA.3380@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > It is from outlook, so whatever that binary format is.
> > > >
> > > > Hope this helps.
> > > >
> > > > Graham
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
> > > > news:ey2h%23AV9 DHA.1504@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > > their in binary format not text format, to read binary format you[/color][/color]
> need[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > to
> > > > > know the data structure of the file.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > > > Hello,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in[/color][/color]
> msg[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > files
> > > > > as
> > > > > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an
> > > > interpretation
> > > > > > method?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Graham
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Graham F French mcse
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Sueffel]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Not to be a noot, but I think you're on the wrong track. .msg files ARE
NOT MS Outlook files, but e-mail messages that are used by a thousand or so
clients. There is both an ISO and RFC spec on this. Check out .msg email
file layouts, that may lead to some clues, and remember, MS doesn't have the
market on everything, even though they'd like to :)

HTH
Sueffel


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.580 / Virus Database: 367 - Release Date: 2/6/2004

[Sueffel]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

And actually, I posted before I thought bout it more, email messages are
required to be plain-text unless they are encrypted. If they are encrypted
by Outlook for whatever reason, you're pretty hosed. Ofcourse, not 100%
sure what Outlook may be doing to this file, but it sure is really fubared,
and needs to be avoided LOL
It looks to be a non-stander, IE fubared, db type of format, let me see
what I can dig up for ya...

Sueffel



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.580 / Virus Database: 367 - Release Date: 2/6/2004

[Cor]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Hi Graham,

I got this links from Jay B. we work in a team like that.

You can read them and Jay B has a lot of more answers.

http://www.microeye.com/resources/res_outlookvsnet.htm

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpref/html/frlrfsystemwebmailsmtpmailclasstopic.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/exchanchor/htms/msexchsvr_cdo_top.asp

The four CDOs are (in chronological order):

- CDO.DLL : CDO version 1.2.1
- CDONTS.DLL : CDO version 1.2.1 for Windows NT Server (not the same as CDO
version 1.2.1!)
- CDOSYS.DLL : CDO for Windows 2000
- CDOEX.DLL : CDO for Exchange 2000 Server

And the last is probably what you need.

Look at the outlook and exchange part in it, but I think in this case take
first the Exchange part, because you have to read the message storage from
that server for what you want I thouhgt.

Cor

[Brian Henry]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Binary files are a defined data structure. you have to know how to read in
the structures in teh correct data type to be able to convery from binary to
something you can use, I'd suggest reading up on binary format files first
then search for a binary file format document on outlook second..


"Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
news:uDpO7MW9DH A.712@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Jay,
>
> Sorry, I do need to know how to read this file format directly into my
> application.
>
> I know that it can be done in VB6.
>
> Cheers
>
> Graham
>
> "Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]" <Jay_Harlow_MVP @msn.com> wrote in message
> news:uW6oN5V9DH A.3380@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...[color=green]
> > Graham,
> > The .msg format is not documented.
> >
> > The "easiest" way to read it would be to have the App that defines the
> > format read it, in this case Outlook.
> >
> > The following site provides a plethora of information on using Outlook[/color]
> from[color=green]
> > .NET.
> >
> > http://www.microeye.com/resources/res_outlookvsnet.htm
> >
> > Hope this helps
> > Jay
> >
> > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color][/color]
> files[color=green]
> > as[color=darkred]
> > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > >
> > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color][/color]
> interpretation[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > method?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Graham
> > >
> > > Graham F French mcse
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[CJ Taylor]

Re: Reading outlook .msg files

Yeah, I can't find a thing on the data structure of a msg file anywhere...

good luck,
CJ
"Brian Henry" <brianiup@adelp hia.net> wrote in message
news:ufTFw4X9DH A.1428@TK2MSFTN GP12.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Binary files are a defined data structure. you have to know how to read in
> the structures in teh correct data type to be able to convery from binary[/color]
to[color=blue]
> something you can use, I'd suggest reading up on binary format files first
> then search for a binary file format document on outlook second..
>
>
> "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> news:uDpO7MW9DH A.712@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...[color=green]
> > Jay,
> >
> > Sorry, I do need to know how to read this file format directly into my
> > application.
> >
> > I know that it can be done in VB6.
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Graham
> >
> > "Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]" <Jay_Harlow_MVP @msn.com> wrote in[/color][/color]
message[color=blue][color=green]
> > news:uW6oN5V9DH A.3380@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
> > > Graham,
> > > The .msg format is not documented.
> > >
> > > The "easiest" way to read it would be to have the App that defines the
> > > format read it, in this case Outlook.
> > >
> > > The following site provides a plethora of information on using Outlook[/color]
> > from[color=darkred]
> > > .NET.
> > >
> > > http://www.microeye.com/resources/res_outlookvsnet.htm
> > >
> > > Hope this helps
> > > Jay
> > >
> > > "Graham F French" <graham.french@ satosoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:%23F9VLTU9 DHA.2064@TK2MSF TNGP11.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I can read text files into my application, but I cannot read in msg[/color]
> > files[color=darkred]
> > > as
> > > > they seem to be in a proprietry format.
> > > >
> > > > Is there anyway of converting it on the fly or is there an[/color]
> > interpretation[color=darkred]
> > > > method?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Graham
> > > >
> > > > Graham F French mcse
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]