Importing Contacts 2003 to 2007

[rbecker]

I had been using Outlook 2003 until my computer got a virus and had to be
crashed. When they (Geek Squad @ Best Buy) had to crash it I asked them to
save my Contacts so that I don't lose them (I had quite a few). They saved
it in an 'Office Data File (.pab)' according to what I can see. I tried to
follow the import directions I found in the Outlook 2007 (what I am currently
using) help file for importing PAB files and I still don't see the contacts
(one specifically that I KNOW I had). The option to choose how I wanted
duplicates handled was greyed out and I couldn't change it. How can I get my
contacts imported?

I followed what the help file said and to no avail. I tried to look on here
but I couldn't find anything that suggested there was a problem bringing 2003
contacts into 2007 but admittedly I only went to page 4 of 117 in the
Contacts Discussion. If this was addressed, if a link could be provided to
the answer I will gladly go there.

Thanks!
Becky

By the way, I'm running the Outlook 2007 on XP SP3.

 

[Gordon]

I had been using Outlook 2003 until my computer got a virus and had to be
crashed. When they (Geek Squad @ Best Buy) had to crash it I asked them
to
save my Contacts so that I don't lose them (I had quite a few). They
saved
it in an 'Office Data File (.pab)' according to what I can see.

Then NEVER EVER use the "Geek Squad" for ANYTHING They haven't got a CLUE.

I tried to
follow the import directions I found in the Outlook 2007 (what I am
currently
using) help file for importing PAB files

So how EXACTLY did you try this import?

 

[rbecker]

I did as follows:

1. On 'File' menu, clicked 'Import and Export'
2. Under ' Choose an action to perform, clicked 'Import from another program
or file' then clicked 'Next'.
3. Under 'Select file type to import from', clicked on 'Personal Address
Book', then clicked 'Next'
4. Under 'File to Import', browsed to find the file then clicked OK.
5. Under 'Options' attempted to designate how I wanted to handle duplicates
(this is the part that was greyed out)
6.Clicked 'Next'
7. Then it came up with the screen that showed where it was going and it had
the Contacts folder chosen (I can't remember the exact screen)

Then I clicked 'Finished' and saw a progress bar but nothing appeared in
Outlook. I even shut Outlook down and restarted it thinking it need to be
restarted to take affect but nothing.

I am quickly figuring out that Geek Squad is kinda clueless....they couldn't
even point me in the direction of how to download the file that THEY CREATED.
They told me I had to bring it in because it was 'too complicated' to do
over the phone. GRRR!

 

[Gordon]

I did as follows:

1. On 'File' menu, clicked 'Import and Export'
2. Under ' Choose an action to perform, clicked 'Import from another
program
or file' then clicked 'Next'.
3. Under 'Select file type to import from', clicked on 'Personal Address
Book', then clicked 'Next'
4. Under 'File to Import', browsed to find the file then clicked OK.
5. Under 'Options' attempted to designate how I wanted to handle
duplicates
(this is the part that was greyed out)
6.Clicked 'Next'
7. Then it came up with the screen that showed where it was going and it
had
the Contacts folder chosen (I can't remember the exact screen)

Then I clicked 'Finished' and saw a progress bar but nothing appeared in
Outlook. I even shut Outlook down and restarted it thinking it need to be
restarted to take affect but nothing.

What size is this pAB file? (I'm not an expert on PAB files as Outlook
hasn't used them since version 2000, but it may be that they didn't export
anything...)

 

[rbecker]

It's 265/268 KB (The properties say size: 265 KB, Size on Disk: 268 KB)

 

[Gordon]

It's 265/268 KB (The properties say size: 265 KB, Size on Disk: 268 KB)

You might have a look at this:
http://www.interguru.com/msieall.htm#pabascii

If that works and you can get your addresses into a text file, then you
could open in Excel and save as a CSV file and import that.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

No kidding - they are the number one provider of income to actual
"professional" support experts.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
ALWAYS post your Outlook version.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Gordon confirmed:

| Then NEVER EVER use the "Geek Squad" for ANYTHING They haven't got a
| CLUE.
|

 

[Gordon]

No kidding - they are the number one provider of income to actual
"professional" support experts.

ROTFL!

 

[rbecker]

Gordon -
I clicked on the link and the link on the page to go to the download didn't
work. Is there somewhere else I can get that?

 

[Gordon]

Gordon -
I clicked on the link and the link on the page to go to the download
didn't
work. Is there somewhere else I can get that?

Apparently, you can open a PAB in Word. You could then save as a text file
and open that in Excel and save as a CSV.

 

[rbecker]

OK. I tried opening it in word, and it opened, but it looks like a bunch of
garbage. I went ahead with the other steps thinking it might straighten out
later but I MUST be doing something wrong because I get nothing but symbols.

Is there a way I could send you screen prints of what I see as far as the
different windows that pop up? There's A LOT to describe.

 

[Gordon]

OK. I tried opening it in word, and it opened, but it looks like a bunch
of
garbage. I went ahead with the other steps thinking it might straighten
out
later but I MUST be doing something wrong because I get nothing but
symbols.

Is there a way I could send you screen prints of what I see as far as the
different windows that pop up? There's A LOT to describe.

I'm afraid I'm getting a bit lost here - I've never had to deal with this
type of problem. You may have to just accept that all your contacts are
gone, and you may have to just start to rebuild them. I would suggest that a
PAB file of the size you describe might not contain very many anyway...
Sorry!

 

[rbecker]

OK. No big deal. I originally started this to get a certain contact off of
there but I have since been able to get his information again. Thanks for
giving it the "old college try"!! I appreciate it.

 

[Gordon]

OK. No big deal. I originally started this to get a certain contact off
of
there but I have since been able to get his information again. Thanks for
giving it the "old college try"!! I appreciate it.

Sorry I couldn't have been of more help...