How to Export & import contacts in a distribution list ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hema
  • Start date Start date
H

Hema

I'm trying to export contacts in a distribution list from one profile and
then import the same file to another profile. I'm using Export/Import
function to do that and I finally knew thats not the correct way to do it as
I'm losing data. COuld anyone suggest me another method to do this in detail.

Thanks,
Hema
 
Export and import will always destroy a DL. DL's should be copied into a
Contacts Folder in an Outlook data file. Disconnect that data file from the
first profile and open it in the second. You can put it wherever you want
after that.
It's also pretty easy to transfer a DL via email as long as you insert it as
an Outlook Item in an RTF message.
 
Thanks for the reply Russ...Can you explain me how to copy the Distribution
list to an external drive and put it back on a different profile on a
different computer. When I try to copy the DL, it gives me an option to save
it only in Outlook folders and not anywhere else. Could you please help me
wid this??

Russ Valentine said:
Export and import will always destroy a DL. DL's should be copied into a
Contacts Folder in an Outlook data file. Disconnect that data file from the
first profile and open it in the second. You can put it wherever you want
after that.
It's also pretty easy to transfer a DL via email as long as you insert it as
an Outlook Item in an RTF message.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hema said:
I'm trying to export contacts in a distribution list from one profile and
then import the same file to another profile. I'm using Export/Import
function to do that and I finally knew thats not the correct way to do it
as
I'm losing data. COuld anyone suggest me another method to do this in
detail.

Thanks,
Hema
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Right. That's what I was telling you. The only way to preserve a DL is to
save it in an Outlook data file. DL's are a poorly implemented afterthought
in Outlook and it is pretty clear that the developers gave no thought to
them and never really intended for us to use them or rely upon them. Most of
us don't.
Transferring a DL via email is far easier, but if you really need to do
this, you would have to create an Outlook Data File that contains a Contacts
Folder (File > New > Outlook Data File...). Make sure you note the name and
location of this file.
Copy the DL into the Contacts Folder in this data file, then disconnect this
file from Outlook by closing it. Exit Outlook.
Now you can copy this file and open it in the Outlook profile to which you
want to transfer the DL (File > Open > Outlook Data File...)
Most of the time it's actually easier to recreate the DL from scratch than
to jump through all these hoops.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hema said:
Thanks for the reply Russ...Can you explain me how to copy the
Distribution
list to an external drive and put it back on a different profile on a
different computer. When I try to copy the DL, it gives me an option to
save
it only in Outlook folders and not anywhere else. Could you please help me
wid this??

Russ Valentine said:
Export and import will always destroy a DL. DL's should be copied into a
Contacts Folder in an Outlook data file. Disconnect that data file from
the
first profile and open it in the second. You can put it wherever you want
after that.
It's also pretty easy to transfer a DL via email as long as you insert it
as
an Outlook Item in an RTF message.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hema said:
I'm trying to export contacts in a distribution list from one profile
and
then import the same file to another profile. I'm using Export/Import
function to do that and I finally knew thats not the correct way to do
it
as
I'm losing data. COuld anyone suggest me another method to do this in
detail.

Thanks,
Hema
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
There is another way to transfer distribution lists:
  1. Open the distribution list, and use file/save to create an RTF file
  2. Edit this file in Word, convert text to table (this separates out the actual addresses into a separate column). Transfer this file to the destination machine(s)
  3. Open the file and copy the second column
  4. Create and name a new distribution list
  5. Click Select Members.
  6. Click on the text box in "Add to distribution list" and use Ctrl-V to copy in the contents from your file. Click OK - The distribution list will be populated
  7. Save the distribution list
Yes, it's not slick, but it works...
 
Back
Top