Set-OutlookSignature

Obtains user's profile from Active Directory or Excel, and configures user's Outlook signature using a Word document template.

Features

• Obtain user profile from AD or Excel.
• Use MS Word document to create signature templates.
• Customizable variables (e.g. [[FirstLastName]], [[myVariable]]) can be used as text and part of hyperlink on the Word signature template(s).
• Supports multiple templates.
• Silent execution option for automated deployment.
• Executable for manual deployment, so users don't have to work with script execution commands.
• Shorten execution time to skip signature update if signature template has not been changed, or use the -forceupdate switch to ensure signature standard.
• Automatically selects signature for new messages/replies/forwards settings.

END-USERS
Automated process makes it transparent to the end-users.
Alternatively, if process automation through GPO is not an option, user can simply double-click on the executable to set their Outlook signature.

MARKETING
Use of MS Word document to easily design signature templates. Use different templates for different companies or departments to deliver audience focused messaging.
Ability to use Excel for user profiles grants more control without having to rely on I.T. to keep personnel information updated.

I.T.
Flexible deployment. Automate through GPO/log-on script to force the signature standard, and/or simply share the executable on a shared folder for users to manually execute.
All options can be easily configured through a .config file.
Easily add new variables to use on the MS Word signature template(s).
Detail commented script for easy customizations.
Easy configuration through .config file (example)

Instructions

[Automated Deployment] is meant to run Set-OutlookSignature automatically, so the process to set Outlook signature is transparent to the users.

[Manual Deployment] requires each user to manually run Set-OutlookSignature each time the user wishes to update their Outlook signature.

Standard Usage

1. Download the latest release

2. Save extracted files:

   [Automated Deployment] Save to NETLOGON share.

   [Manual Deployment] Save to a network shared folder.

3. Run Set-OutlookSignature.exe once and follow on-screen instructions. This should guide you through editing the .config file.

4. Edit the signature template (Unified-Signature.docx)

5. To run:

   [Automated Deployment] Configure GPO and/or user logon script to run Set-OutlookSignature.exe -silent

   [Manual Deployment] Instruct users to run Set-OutlookSignature.exe. The Excel file containing user profiles should be updated before user runs Set-OutlookSignature. Either designate someone to maintain the Excel file, or have user update it themselves.

Advanced Usage

Run Set-OutlookSignature.exe -help to learn more.

Run Set-OutlookSignature.exe -help -detailed to learn even more.

Customizations

1. Download the source code.
2. Make necessary changes.
3. Compile the script using PS2EXE-GUI

Notes

• The .config file will automatically generate with default values if no existing .config is found.
• The .config file must match the name of the executable (yes, you can rename Set-OutlookSignature.exe).
• You can combine -Silent and -ForceUpdate switches for automated enforced signature standard. E.g. Set-OutlookSignature.exe -silent -forceupdate

Credits

This is a Powershell script (.ps1) written based on Set-OutlookSignature.ps1 v1.2 authored by Jan Egil Ring, Darren Kattan, and Michael West.

...

Unfortunately I didn't discover [Jan's repo](https://github.com/janegilring/PSCommunity/blob/master/Microsoft%20Office/Set-OutlookSignature.ps1) until I had finished with my changes against Michael's v1.2 and as I'm writing these last words in README.md. Else I could've branched off Jan's latest version instead of creating a new repo, saved some hassle, and gain couple more enhancements in the script. This will do for now.

It incorporates Import-Xls function by Francis de la Cerna, and was compiled using PS2EXE-GUI by Markus Scholtes.