I very often need to edit the subject line of emails so I am constantly going to the View Settings to check and uncheck this feature.


It would be great if there was a way to add a toggle to the Quick Access Toolbar to toggle this feature on and off. If not then how do macros work in Outlook? I am familiar with macros in Excel but have never run a macro in Outlook. I wouldn't even know where to start.

Do you want to do something to the Subject line of a message you've already received, or of a message you're in the process of composing?


In either case, a macro might be overkill. For the former, pressing Shift + Tab several times will navigate to the Subject line. The number of presses will vary, but will likely be between six and eight times. For the latter, assuming you are in the middle of composing your message, press Shift + Tab once. Edit the subject, and press Tab to return to the message.

This would only be for messages I have already received and/or sent. I consecutively number all messages sent and received between myself and one person so that when I move these messages out of Outlook to an explorer folder then when I view these messages using my Mail Viewer program they are automatically put in chronological order. So for example I just sent a message with the subject 'Nerves'. After I sent it then I went to the subject line editing and added the number 0087 so that now the subject line reads 0087 Nerves. This tells me that this is the 87th message I sent this year thus far.

Not sure how to accomplish this with VBA.


However, it's do-able with Macro Express Pro. For example, you could build a hotkey-activated macro that navigates to the "Subject:" field, places the cursor at the start of the field, types "00 ", and backspaces once. At that point, all you need to do is type "87" or whatever the next number is.



This may not be the easiest project for a novice, but I know it can be done: I've got a similar macro that navigates to the "From:" field to extract the email address.



An evaluation copy of Macro Express Pro is available from Windows Automation - Macro Express. It will work for 30 days. If you want to continue using the program afterwards, the cost is a modest $80.



The non-macro alternative is to press Shift + Tab a bunch of times.

Thanks but I will just continue as I have for quite some time by using the Allow in-cell editing. Not sure I want to get used to using such a feature and then have to pay $80 to keep it. Too bad there wasn't a free program to do the same.

I'm not aware of an Outlook setting that makes it possible to edit the Subject field. Maybe it's available in a more recent version of Outlook than I have? I can edit the Subject field of received and sent messages without doing anything special.


If you can toggle on the feature, it is possible to leave it on?

This "Allow in-cell editing" is available in Outlook 2013. The attached image shows you this feature. I don't leave it turned on as that could potentially change subject lines by accident. I only turn it on when it is needed. It really isn't a big deal but I was hoping for a simple toggle to add to the Quick Access Toolbar. In the second attached Image, you will see the "Other Settings" button that was added to the Quick Access Toolbar and from that button when selected you get what is seen in the first image titled Allow in-cell editing.png
The image OtherSettings.png is a combination of the normal Outlook with the Options page overlaid. You should be able to see this. At the very top of the normal Outlook, you see the Quick Access Toolbar to the left of the drop-down arrow.

Attached Images

	Allow in-cell editing.png (19.6 KB, 4 views)
	OtherSettings.png (46.4 KB, 3 views)

I made my own toggle using Macro Express Pro. It works by sending the exact sequence of keys that gets the job done. A few delays are needed, which I've included.



Consider downloading the evaluation copy of Macro Express Pro. Recreate my script. Then you can decide whether the convenience is worth $80!


No guarantees. Use at your own risk!



Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ESC> // Try to cancel whatever might be in process
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <F10> // Activate ribbon
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): v // View
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): v // View Settings
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): o // Other settings
Delay: 100 milliseconds
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ALT>a // Allow in-cell editing checkbox
Delay: 3000 milliseconds
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ENTER> // OK button
Delay: 200 milliseconds
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <UP ARROW><UP ARROW><UP ARROW><UP ARROW> // Navigate to top item in leftmost column of buttons
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <SHIFT><TAB><SHIFT><TAB> // Navigate to OK
Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ENTER> // Activate OK



Or paste in this code in the Macro Express Script Editor:


<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<ESC>" _COMMENT="Try to cancel whatever might be in process"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<F10>" _COMMENT="Activate ribbon"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="v" _COMMENT="View"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="v" _COMMENT="View Settings"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="o" _COMMENT="Other settings"/>
<DELAY Flags="\x02" Time="100"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<ALT>a" _COMMENT="Allow in-cell editing checkbox"/>
<DELAY Flags="\x02" Time="3000"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<ENTER>" _COMMENT="OK button"/>
<DELAY Flags="\x02" Time="200"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<UP ARROW><UP ARROW><UP ARROW><UP ARROW>" _COMMENT="Navigate to top item in leftmost column of buttons"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<SHIFT><TAB><SHIFT><TAB>" _COMMENT="Navigate to OK"/>
<TEXT TYPE Action="0" Text="<ENTER>" _COMMENT="Activate OK"/>