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outlookoffice-jsadd-inoutlook-web-addins

Is TabDefault the only option for placing a group on ribbon?


After years of developing COM add-ins, I am now doing a outlook js add-in. So I am newbie to this enviroment.

I have a couple of questions regarding the ribbon architecture.

From what I have read, I believe the TabDefault is the only option for the ribbon group. I am trying to place my ribbon group at a specific location and emulate the COM add-in. For example, for my Outlook COM add-in I can place my options button that pops up a dialog on the TabMail ribbon before group GroupQuickSteps. Is the Outlook ribbon only limited to TabDefault?

I would like to design my ribbon to have one button on the compose ribbon and one button on the read (pop-out) button. Then I would have two buttons on the main ribbon (TabMail). All buttons would perform different functions. Can I define separate logic for each ribbon/window? The only example I see is that Contoso sample app. Kind of confused about the manifest and limitations. Looks like that example pops up on all windows.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Tom


Solution

  • Web add-ins don't support ribbon customizations you could do with a COM add-in. But web add-ins provide the ability to create ribbon commands. You can read more about them in the Add-in commands for Outlook article.

    Add-in commands are supported for four scenarios:

    • Reading a message

      When the user is reading a message in the reading pane or in the Message tab for a pop-out read form, add-in commands added to the default tab appear on the Home tab.

    • Composing a message

      When the user is composing a message, add-in commands added to the default tab appear on the Message tab.

    • Creating or viewing an appointment or meeting as the organizer

      When creating or viewing an appointment or meeting as the organizer, add-in commands added to the default tab appear on the Meeting, Meeting Occurrence, Meeting Series, or Appointment tabs on pop-out forms. However, if the user selects an item in the calendar but doesn't open the pop-out, the add-in's ribbon group won't be visible in the ribbon.

    • Viewing a meeting as an attendee

      When viewing a meeting as an attendee, add-in commands added to the default tab appear on the Meeting, Meeting Occurrence, or Meeting Series tabs on pop-out forms. However, if a user selects an item in the calendar but doesn't open the pop-out, the add-in's ribbon group won't be visible in the ribbon

    • Using a module extension

      When using a module extension, add-in commands appear on the extension's custom tab.