# Adding a "Resource" to Microsoft Outlook

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 14, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375 "2004-06-14T22:39:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/1 "2004-06-14T22:39:58Z")

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How do I add a “resource” in Outlook’s calendar? I need to make the camera, the company car, the conference rooms, etc., schedulable. I used to work someplace where I’d just put in an order to the help desk, and 6 or 8 months later they’d get around to doing it. The firm where I work is too small to have a help desk, so I have to figure out how to do it myself.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/2 "2004-06-15T00:52:15Z")

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I use Outloo, but not ‘resources’, but Google did give me this:

> [@](#):
>
> Choose File/ Open/ Other User’s Folder  
> In the Name: field, type the name of the resource  
> In the Folder: field, choose Calendar  
> Schedule the appointment directly on the calendar of the resource

Does that look about right for you?

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**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/3 "2004-06-15T00:54:26Z")

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A little more searching turned up [these more in-depth instructions](http://www.slipstick.com/calendar/skedresource.htm)

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/4 "2004-06-15T01:58:19Z")

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Sorry, I wasn’t clear. I know how to schedule it once it exists; I need to know how to create it in the first place. This step–_create an Exchange mailbox for the resource_–is skipped over without elaboration, and that appears to be the step I need.

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**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/5 "2004-06-15T03:20:57Z")

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You simply create a domain user with the name you want - i.e. “Conference Room 2” - and make sure that “create Exchange mailbox” is checked when creating the new user.

Start \> Programs \> Administrative Tools \> Active Directory Users & Computers  
Right-click “Users” folder, select New -\> User

You will need to logon as the user and set up some things in Exchange via Outlook. Gimme a sec and I’ll find it for you.

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**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-resource-to-microsoft-outlook/250375/6 "2004-06-15T03:26:20Z")

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Ah… [Here’s](http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/MF019.html) a complete how-to that even includes screen caps! Note that you will need to logon to the domain as the user (resource) you create and do the steps listed in “Configuring the Mailbox to process Scheduling Invitations” for _each_ resource you create. You will only need to do this once, however.

The instructions I liked to are for Exchange 2000, but should also work in Exchange 2003 and (probably) Exchange 5.5.