tnx hugo - i think this solution would entail a preliminary full search through of all emails which i'm trying to avoid. i need to set up a filter.

k

>My first thought would be to create a search folder to put the messages with attachments and then use your code to loop thru them
>
>http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/find-every-e-mail-message-with-an-attachment-HA001121668.aspx
>
>[Update]
>I think for Outlook 2007 the procedure is a little bit different: Right click on "Search Folders" and click "New Folder" then scroll down to find the "Mail with attachments"
>
>>this is the start of outlook automation - is there a way to streamline the search so that only emails with attachments are inspected without having to use if clause:
>>
>>instead of
>>

>>For Each loMSG In loInBox.Items
>>

>>along these lines - excuse the syntax
>>

>>For Each loMSG loInBox.Items.loAttach  
>>

>>
>>

>>Local loOutlook   As Outlook.Application
>>Local loNameSpace As Outlook.NameSpace
>>Local loInBox     As Object
>>Local loMSG      As Outlook.MailItem
>>Local lnUnRead    As Integer
>>Local loAttach,llAttach
>>
>>#Define olFolderInBox      6
>>
>>loOutlook   = Createobject('Outlook.Application') &&
>>loNameSpace = loOutlook.GetNamespace("MAPI")
>>loInBox     = loNameSpace.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInBox)
>>lnUnRead    = 0
>>
>>For Each loMSG In loInBox.Items
>>

>>
>>thanks for any suggestions
>>k