How can I import outlook contacts to a flex web application?

Question

As the question says, I have a flex web application that I would like to have a button which imports contacts from the users MS Outlook.

Basically this functionality is necessary so the user does not have to type in all that data again.

I see this stackoverflow posting: Outlook and Python for Python/Outlook and enter link description here for Javascript & Outlook.

This blog post shows how vCards can be imported Flex & vCard but I was hoping for something more direct.

Any suggestions ?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 08 '12 at 17:02

2

When working with a Flex Web application you are not able to arbitrary access user's machine local data (like accessing files, retrieving directory list etc) as it is restricted by the Flash Security Policy.

In your case I see 3 solutions:

make a user explicitly select each vCard file, in this case Flash will allow this;
or use Adobe AIR. AIR can access local files without Open File dialog box;
load vCard files over the net with HTTPService or something like that.

answered Oct 08 '12 at 17:02

Max Golovanchuk

757
6
14

Thanks Max, I gave you the answer because I really *don't* know the answer ! – user918967 Oct 10 '12 at 20:22
Try AIR application, as it will give you more control of your local machine resources. – Max Golovanchuk Oct 11 '12 at 04:32
Max, does Flex allow Java applets to run? Maybe OP could use the CloudSponge API. – Jay Gibb Oct 12 '12 at 15:33
Web Flex application can trigger a Java applet execution, so this might be a good idea! – Max Golovanchuk Oct 13 '12 at 12:53

How can I import outlook contacts to a flex web application?

1 Answers1