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Using Fedora 34 with these packages:

$ rpm -qa | grep evolution
evolution-data-server-langpacks-3.40.1-1.fc34.noarch
evolution-data-server-3.40.1-1.fc34.x86_64
evolution-data-server-devel-3.40.1-1.fc34.x86_64
evolution-langpacks-3.40.1-1.fc34.noarch
evolution-3.40.1-1.fc34.x86_64
evolution-pst-3.40.1-1.fc34.x86_64
evolution-ews-langpacks-3.40.1-1.fc34.noarch
evolution-ews-3.40.1-1.fc34.x86_64

to access an Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 with EWS, I encountered a length limit in calendar appointment in "subject" and "location" line. According to my tests it seems to be the fault of Microsoft Exchange. I do not know if it is a general problem or a site-specific issue. This ticket is to make sure on Evolution's side that people do not fall for it. Based on a quick check the "meeting request" window is affected too.

Would it be possible to limit calendar item's "subject" and "location" line to 255 characters for EWS accounts? Or create a warning before saving in order to avoid silent truncation? I am fine with it if you do not want to change Evolution's behaviour.

steps to reproduce:

1. in Evolution open an appointment window
2. fill "subject" and "location" with more than 255 characters (chars)
3. save in EWS account

comparison and observed behaviour:

• Microsoft Outlook 2016
  • creating appointment: "subject" and "location" do not accept more than 255 chars.
  • opening appointment created with Evolution with more than 255 chars: behaves like described in webmail section.
• webmail
  • "subject" accepts more than 255 chars. On saving it is truncated to 255 chars and then the last 3 chars are replaced with 3 individual dots.
  • "location" does not accept more than 255 chars.
  • opening appointment created with Evolution with more than 255 chars:
    • "subject" has been truncated to 255 chars, then the last 3 chars are replaced with "..."
    • "location" is cut off at 255 chars, no replacement with "..."
• Evolution
  • "subject" accepts more than 255 chars, but on save is truncated to 255 chars and then the last 3 chars are replaced with 3 individual dots
  • "location" accepts more than 255 chars; saving in Evolution does not truncate
    • Opening this in webmail: text is automatically truncated to 255 chars without "..." replacement on the last 3 chars. When you leave the item you are asked to save your changes. Discarding the changes preserves the text.
    • Opening this in Microsoft Outlook 2016: only the first 255 chars are displayed. No question about "saving changes".