Hi,

The process: Users send in requests as emails to have their schedule changed for the week, which must be approved by an administrator. The administrator either approves/does not approve. If the admin approves, the admin must go to a separate folder on his harddrive and change the user's schedule in an Excel spreadsheet which holds all users schedules.

The problem: Is there a way to have both the requests (Outlook emails) and the Schedule (Excel spreadsheet) in one location in order to reduce hassle? Is there a way to improve the process?

What I've thought of:

Option 1: First we sort these emails by a filter into a specific folder in Outlook. Then we can save copies emails specific to those requests (through some sort of filter again) locally in the same folder where the excel schedule is stored. So these emails would exist in both Outlook and in that local folder. There must also be syncronization between Outlook and the local folder, so when emails are opened/replied to in Outlook or in the local folder, the change is reflected in both places.

Option 2: We create a new calendar in Outlook and transfer the information from the excel schedule into this calendar. However, these appointments should have no reminders. How do we set no reminders as the default option on all appointments created in this new calendar, while maintaining the current setting we have for reminders in our normal, personal calendar?

So, How do you do option 1? How do you do option 2? Which option do you think is better? Do you have any better ideas? Might there be a way to integrate Outlook & Excel to solve this?

Here is the problem stated again:

The problem: Is there a way to have both the requests (Outlook emails) and the Schedule (Excel spreadsheet) in one location in order to reduce hassle? Is there a way to improve the process?



Using Outlook & Excel 2007

Thanks for all your help!!!!

Hi
Have a look at this link and see if it gives you any ideas. Failing that come back to the forum and I will have another look for you.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...005252677.aspx
Good luck.
Tony (OTPM)

Hi Tony,

I looked at the resource you provided, but can't think of any way it can help my situation

Thanks,

D