VB.NET - How to Drag a File From Outlook 2010 to My Form?

Question

I'm developing an application to read XML files, get its data and populate some field. SO, I've implemented two ways to get the file: through a command button and through the drag and drop form event. Everything is OK if I use a file stored in a folder in my computer. I can drag the file, the cursor changes its appearance to the copy effect etc. However, when I try doing it dragging a file as an attachment of Outlook (my version is the 2010), I see that the cursor assumes the forbidden effect and the file is not read.

Please, see below the implementation I did, which is working only for files stored in a folder in my computer. I would like to know what more I have to implement to allow drag a file from Outlook.

Thank you in advance.

    Private Sub FrmJIG_DragDrop(sender As Object, e As DragEventArgs) _
    Handles Me.DragDrop
    Dim files() As String = e.Data.GetData(DataFormats.FileDrop)
    Dim filestype() As String

    filestype = e.Data.GetData(DataFormats.FileDrop)
    Dim sReader As New StreamReader(filestype(0))

    'get the filename from the file without the path
    Dim file_name As String = Path.GetFileName(filestype(0))

    'check the extension of the file
    If Path.GetExtension(filestype(0)).ToLower() = ".xml" Then
        'Read the xml file
        For Each path In files
            ReadXMLFile(path)
        Next
    Else

        'warning about the file type
        MessageBox.Show("Only XML files are supported!", "Warning!", _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, _
    MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub FrmJIG_DragEnter(sender As Object, e As DragEventArgs) _
Handles Me.DragEnter

    'change the cursor  type to drag and drop type
    If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) Then
        e.Effect = DragDropEffects.Copy
    End If
End Sub

Please try checking also for `e.Data.GetDataPresent("FileGroupDescriptor")` — Eduardo Molteni, Apr 05 '13 at 14:58
Hello Eduardo. Thank you for your reply. How it should be implemented in the code above? — JoseFernandes, Apr 05 '13 at 17:31

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 05 '13 at 17:34

0

Please try with

Private Sub FrmJIG_DragEnter(sender As Object, e As DragEventArgs) _
Handles Me.DragEnter

    'change the cursor  type to drag and drop type
    If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) or e.Data.GetDataPresent("FileGroupDescriptor") Then
        e.Effect = DragDropEffects.Copy
    End If
End Sub

answered Apr 05 '13 at 17:34

Eduardo Molteni

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Hola Eduardo. Muchas gracias! I'll try it tonight. – JoseFernandes Apr 05 '13 at 17:41
Hi Eduardo. Your tip worked fine to change the cursor behavior. Thank you! – JoseFernandes Apr 07 '13 at 03:26

VB.NET - How to Drag a File From Outlook 2010 to My Form?

1 Answers1