OK, I think I have it ... finally
I don't understand the reason to add the .GetNamespace and a few other lines, but at least I am not forced to always include a dummy attachment. Found the hint at another forum
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Soft....html#view-all
Option Explicit
Sub SendEmail3()
Const olFolderInbox As Long = 6
Dim oApp As Object, oMail As Object, oFld As Object
Dim sFile As String, sBody As String, sRecipiant
sBody = "This is an email message"
sRecipiant = "abc@def.net"
Set oApp = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
Set oFld = oApp.GetNamespace("MAPI").GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInbox)
Set oMail = oFld.Items.Add
sFile = vbNullString
With oMail
.To = sRecipiant
.CC = vbNullString
.Subject = "email test 3 -- " & Format(Now, "General Date")
.Body = sBody
If Len(sFile) > 0 Then .Attachments.Add sFile
.send
End With
sFile = "C:\Users\ABC\Scripts\Logs\bu2000-2015-01-20.log"
Set oMail = oFld.Items.Add
With oMail
.To = sRecipiant
.CC = vbNullString
.Subject = "email test 3 with attachment-- " & Format(Now, "General Date")
.Body = sBody
If Len(sFile) > 0 Then .Attachments.Add sFile
.send
End With
Set oMail = Nothing
Set oFld = Nothing
Set oApp = Nothing
End Sub
(and I thought PowerPoint was confusing - doesn't even hold a candle to Outlook)