Outlook 2007 - Server Auto-Reply Message

I have several mailboxes I log into on an occasional basis. Since I am not logged in continuously and none of those are my primary mailbox, the normal auto-reply rule will not work. I had to set up a server-based rule to run any time a message is sent, regardless of whether I was in the box or not.

And here's how to set it up:
1. Log into the mailbox in which you need the rule.
2. Click Tools menu
3. Select Rules and Alerts
4. Select New Rule
5. Select Start from a blank rule
6. Click Check messages when they arrive
7. Click Next
8. Under Which conditions do you want to check, select Sent only to me (or you can choose any ones which apply to your needs)
9. Click Next
10. Select Have server reply using specific message
11. Click Specific Message link in the Step 2 window below
12. It will open a mail message dialog box which you can populate as needed. Save it.
13. Click Next
14. Check any exceptions you might have (such as specific groups/persons). Click Next when done.
15. Enter Name for Rule and check Turn on Rule
16. Click Finish to save

Now your rule will run off the server and not just when you are logged into that mailbox.

Sharepoint 2007 - Adding a Display Until column

In this example, I have an events calendar. I created a view on the team's page to this calendar where I want to display an event until the date passes. When the date passes, the event will no longer be displayed. So, in order to have a filter on this event, I need a special calculated field/column.

Steps to create a calculated column:
1. Navigate to the view where you want to add your column.
2. Add column
3. Enter a name for the column (here, Display_Until)
4. Enter formula (here, =[Start Time])
5. Select Category from Insert Column box
6. Select data type (here, I selected Date and Time) which displays additional fields, select "Date Only"
7. Select "Ok" to save.

Now, you can add this newly created field to your filter.

Sharepoint 2007 - Import Excel Spreadsheet into a List

Here are the steps to import a spreadsheet into a Sharepoint site:

1. Click on "Site Actions" and then select "Modify All Site Settings" from the "Site Settings" sub-menu.
2. Select "Site Libraries and Lists" under "Site Administration" column
3. Select "Create New Content"
4. Choose "Import Spreadsheet" from "Custom Lists" column
5. Enter the Name, Description (optional), and Import your excel file. Click "Import" button to continue.
6. A popup opens asking for the Ranges. Select "Table Range" (which is the whole table).
7. Once you import, your new list is saved under the site's Lists.

Now, want to add a view of this data to your page?

8. Create a view (select "Create View" from the List's view drop-down menu) and save.
9. On the site page you want to add this view, Edit the page to enable adding Web Parts.
10. Select the Web Part to add Lists. Select the View you created. Save.

Welcome!

What is this blog all about, you ask?
I wanted a place to put my notes as I discovered new ways of doing things, neat tricks, and interesting tidbits without having to dig through all my bookmarks and yellow stick notes.

Geek Speak?
Browsing through other websites and blogs, I noticed the information is often very confusing - if you don't have the technical background. I hope to make this site a little more useful for those who don't grasp "geek speak" (ie, technical language/concepts).

So please feel free to follow this blog as I plan to upload bits and pieces of a variety of topics - Excel, Word, VBA, Javascript, Sharepoint, etc.