В модуле Excel-vba:
Option Explicit
Sub Test()
Dim Outlook As Object
Set Outlook = CreateOutlook()
Set Outlook = Nothing
End Sub
Function CreateOutlook() As Object
Dim Outlook As Object
On Error Resume Next
Set Outlook = GetObject(, "Outlook.Application")
On Error GoTo 0
If Outlook Is Nothing Then Shell "Outlook"
On Error Resume Next
Do While Outlook Is Nothing
Set Outlook = GetObject(, "Outlook.Application")
Loop
On Error GoTo 0
Set Outlook = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
AppActivate Application.Caption 'This line doesn't cause an error but excel icon flashes in taskbar and doesn't activate.
Set CreateOutlook = Outlook
Set Outlook = Nothing
End Function
У меня Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-разрядная.