How to tell if Outlook 2007 .pst file is Unicode or ANSI

[Dave]

I recently migrated an OL 2003 system to OL 2007, and did a great deal
of thrashing around getting my old data into into the new OL
2007 .pst. Now I'm faced with doing that process again (different
computers) and thought I'd try to be a little more organized about it
this time.

I've seen numerous posts about .pst's being in either ANSI or Unicode
format. Some of these say that you can ascertain the format of a .pst
by right-clicking the Personal Folder and viewing its Advanced
properties. When I do that, the format shows only as "Personal
Folders File." Does that mean ANSI? Unicode? Or do I need to look
elsewhere for a more precise format description? I do see that
Outlook's Tools -> Options -> Other -> Advanced "Use Unicode Message
format when saving messages" is checked.

If it turns out that this .pst is ANSI, is it possible to convert it
to Unicode? What steps are would be required?

Thanks!

 

[DL]

Unicode is used in OL2003 / 2007 earlier versions of OL cannot read these
files
A unicode file is apparently more robust and doesnt have the size limitation
of the earlier file.

You cannot convert, you simply create, in OL, a new unicode pst and copy the
data to it.
Both 2003/2007 will by default create a unicode pst (File>New>Data File)

 

[F.H. Muffman]

I've seen numerous posts about .pst's being in either ANSI or Unicode
format. Some of these say that you can ascertain the format of a .pst
by right-clicking the Personal Folder and viewing its Advanced
properties. When I do that, the format shows only as "Personal
Folders File." Does that mean ANSI? Unicode? Or do I need to look
elsewhere for a more precise format description?

If it says "Personal Folders File (97-2002)" when you right click the top
level folder of the PST in Outlook and go to Properties - Advanced, it is
ANSI. If it says "Personal Folders File", then it is Unicode.

I do see that
Outlook's Tools -> Options -> Other -> Advanced "Use Unicode Message
format when saving messages" is checked.

That's actually nothing to do with PST version.

If it turns out that this .pst is ANSI, is it possible to convert it
to Unicode? What steps are would be required?

No. Create a new PST, copy data from old PST to new PST. Delete old PST
after backups have been made.

 

[Dave]

If it says "Personal Folders File(97-2002)" when you right click the top
level folder of the PST inOutlookand go to Properties - Advanced, it is
ANSI. If it says "Personal Folders File", then it is Unicode.


That's actually nothing to do with PST version.


No. Create a new PST, copy data from old PST to new PST. Delete old PST
after backups have been made.

Thanks - that answers all my questions!