I'm trying to remove a flag from an Outlook message, and my code works sometimes but not always. How can I remove a flag from any message?

Here's the code that sometimes does not work:

If Not myMailItem.FlagStatus <> olNoFlag Or myMailItem.FlagRequest <> vbNullString Then
    myMailItem.FlagStatus = olNoFlag
    myMailItem.FlagRequest = vbNullString
End If

I posted an answer but I'm open to better solutions and improvements.

I'm trying to remove a flag from an Outlook message, and my code works sometimes but not always. How can I remove a flag from any message?

Here's the code that sometimes does not work:

If Not myMailItem.FlagStatus <> olNoFlag Or myMailItem.FlagRequest <> vbNullString Then
    myMailItem.FlagStatus = olNoFlag
    myMailItem.FlagRequest = vbNullString
End If

I posted an answer but I'm open to better solutions and improvements.

• vba
• outlook

2 Answers 2

I had to look at the MailItem.TaskDueDate and MailItem.ReminderTime properties. I suspect that when an Outlook rule flagged a message, the rule set these properties but did not set the MailItem.ReminderSet or MailItem.FlagRequest properties.

Here's what finally worked for me:

If myMailItem.TaskDueDate <> #1/1/4501# Or myMailItem.ReminderTime <> #1/1/4501# Or myMailItem.ToDoTaskOrdinal <> #1/1/4501# Or myMailItem.IsMarkedAsTask Or myMailItem.ReminderSet Or myMailItem.FlagStatus <> OlFlagStatus.olNoFlag Or myMailItem.FlagRequest <> vbNullString Then
    myMailItem.TaskDueDate = #1/1/4501#   ' null date is #1/1/4501#
    myMailItem.ReminderTime = #1/1/4501#  ' null date is #1/1/4501#
    myMailItem.ToDoTaskOrdinal = #1/1/4501# ' null date is #1/1/4501#
    targetMailItem.ClearTaskFlag ' use this method since IsMarkedAsTask property can't be changed directly
    myMailItem.ReminderSet = False
    myMailItem.FlagRequest = vbNullString
End If

Your issue comes from the incorrect logic in your If condition and using an incorrect variable (iMailItem instead of myMailItem).
If the flag is not being removed reliably, try the following approach:
Updated Code:

Dim myMailItem As Outlook.MailItem
' Ensure the mail item is valid before proceeding
If Not myMailItem Is Nothing Then
    ' Remove the flag properly
    myMailItem.ClearTaskFlag
    ' Save changes
    myMailItem.Save
End If