Invoking Outlook to send mail from PHP

[v2kea412]

Hopefully simple.... I have a PHP application that lists available bank statements, and allows the person at the computer to click and view the pdf statements. Currently, the product that I am looking to replace has a feature that allows people to email the pdfs using the rep's Outlook account. (ie. it brings up their New Mail Message form, attaching the pdf, and allows the rep to enter in a message and email address of person sending to) This is great for us, since Outlook keeps track of what is sent in the sent folder, and allows us to fine tune the email... I have used PHP Mailer, but not sure how to simply invoke Outlook New Message and attach the pdf.... Any ideas???

[MarkR]

You will not be able to invoke Outlook from a web application.

Firstly, you cannot invoke arbitrary processes on the client machine.

Secondly, you can't do this from the server machine, as it probably won't have Outlook, even if it does, it won't be able to use it as you describe.

Your best bet is probably sending a template to the user so they can customise and send it on.

Alternatively, you could send the message from the server and allow the user to insert their own text, sending the user a cc for reference purposes.

Mark

[Installer]

A simple example of sending from Outlook is in a user's note on this page.

[Houdini]

The example did not work and neither did the other note telling you to add a line. I just recieved an error on the 3rd line of code.

[Installer]

This article seems to be where the code was cribbed from. There is also another article on PHP/Outlook here and the Outlook object model is here.