Imported Outlook 2003 rules do not work.

[Guest]

Hello,

I'm hoping that someone can address this issue once and for all. I always
export/import my pst file, junk filter files, and my rules whenever I redo my
machine or on any machine that a customer brings to me (if possible) because
they hosed the OS and need it reformatted or the OS reinstalled. Whenever
importing the pst or junk files they always work fine. But when it comes to
"importing the rules they never work without some editing or just starting
from scratch.

This is strictly concerning Outlook 2003 and importing rules from the same
version. I backup all my pst, junk, and rule files to my server, along with
any critical files weekly. Whenever I import the rules I find that I have to
alway edit the rules back to the original state in order to get them to work.
The rules basically consist of "moving" an email to an assigned folder. After
they are imported they lose the location of the assigned folder somehow. I
can't tell you what a pain it is having to fix each rule. Since Outlook 2003
doesn't give you any options other than choosing the location when you export
or import the rules, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do this. I do not
import the rules until after I have imported the pst to assure the rules are
imported into the same files(folders) structure they were exported from.
Absolutely everything is the same when I import the rules but they never
work. To answer a statement in advance that I seen in another thread here: my
rules are NOT created with "on this machine only" condition.

I am posting this in hopes that someone has a solution for this. Since the
only options for importing and exporting are choosing the locations, it
doesn't make sense why they lose or change in anyway during the process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Rule number one:

NEVER import a native Outlook.pst file - ALWAYS use File->Open->Outlook
data file. Importing will lose important items such as custom forms,
received dates, connections between contacts and activities,
birthdays/anniversaries in calendar, etc.

Importing = data loss, period.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, S. Smith asked:

| Hello,
|
| I'm hoping that someone can address this issue once and for all. I
| always export/import my pst file, junk filter files, and my rules
| whenever I redo my machine or on any machine that a customer brings
| to me (if possible) because they hosed the OS and need it reformatted
| or the OS reinstalled. Whenever importing the pst or junk files they
| always work fine. But when it comes to "importing the rules they
| never work without some editing or just starting from scratch.
|
| This is strictly concerning Outlook 2003 and importing rules from the
| same version. I backup all my pst, junk, and rule files to my server,
| along with any critical files weekly. Whenever I import the rules I
| find that I have to alway edit the rules back to the original state
| in order to get them to work. The rules basically consist of "moving"
| an email to an assigned folder. After they are imported they lose the
| location of the assigned folder somehow. I can't tell you what a pain
| it is having to fix each rule. Since Outlook 2003 doesn't give you
| any options other than choosing the location when you export or
| import the rules, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do this. I do
| not import the rules until after I have imported the pst to assure
| the rules are imported into the same files(folders) structure they
| were exported from. Absolutely everything is the same when I import
| the rules but they never work. To answer a statement in advance that
| I seen in another thread here: my rules are NOT created with "on this
| machine only" condition.
|
| I am posting this in hopes that someone has a solution for this.
| Since the only options for importing and exporting are choosing the
| locations, it doesn't make sense why they lose or change in anyway
| during the process.
|
| Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

I appreciate the info about the "pst", I use the personal backup addon to do
my pst backup and when I reinstall Outlook I just use Outlook's Import/Export
Wizard, locate my backed up pst, click "Import from another program or file"
and everything is back to it's original state.

As much as I appreciate the response, you didn't mention anything regarding
the issue the post is about. Do you have any info to contribute to my
question about the rules in Outlook 2003?

Rule number one:

NEVER import a native Outlook.pst file - ALWAYS use File->Open->Outlook
data file. Importing will lose important items such as custom forms,
received dates, connections between contacts and activities,
birthdays/anniversaries in calendar, etc.

Importing = data loss, period.


--Â
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, S. Smith asked:

| Hello,
|
| I'm hoping that someone can address this issue once and for all. I
| always export/import my pst file, junk filter files, and my rules
| whenever I redo my machine or on any machine that a customer brings
| to me (if possible) because they hosed the OS and need it reformatted
| or the OS reinstalled. Whenever importing the pst or junk files they
| always work fine. But when it comes to "importing the rules they
| never work without some editing or just starting from scratch.
|
| This is strictly concerning Outlook 2003 and importing rules from the
| same version. I backup all my pst, junk, and rule files to my server,
| along with any critical files weekly. Whenever I import the rules I
| find that I have to alway edit the rules back to the original state
| in order to get them to work. The rules basically consist of "moving"
| an email to an assigned folder. After they are imported they lose the
| location of the assigned folder somehow. I can't tell you what a pain
| it is having to fix each rule. Since Outlook 2003 doesn't give you
| any options other than choosing the location when you export or
| import the rules, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do this. I do
| not import the rules until after I have imported the pst to assure
| the rules are imported into the same files(folders) structure they
| were exported from. Absolutely everything is the same when I import
| the rules but they never work. To answer a statement in advance that
| I seen in another thread here: my rules are NOT created with "on this
| machine only" condition.
|
| I am posting this in hopes that someone has a solution for this.
| Since the only options for importing and exporting are choosing the
| locations, it doesn't make sense why they lose or change in anyway
| during the process.
|
| Thanks in advance.