What is VBA Programming Exactly?

[Chris]

As a newbie, I have to ask. What exactly is VBA Programming? Does it allow you to change Outlook altogether? Is it more like a customization option?

[Bruce]

You may do your own macro programs in Outlook based on Visual Basic and MAPI library options.
Example. Following code will set Orange category to the email and mark it as Read:

Sub ExampleMacro()
Dim olMsg As MailItem
//    On Error Resume Next
    Set olMsg = ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
    With olMsg
        .Categories = "Orange Category"
        .UnRead = True
        .Save
    End With
//lbl_Exit:
    Set olMsg = Nothing
    Exit Sub
End Sub