Multiple pst and multiple archive.pst --How to combine w/o duplica

[LarryMac]

For whatever reason, I have several pst files under different names,
including 3-4 archive.pst files.

I'm using Outlook 2007 and have about 1200 contacts and calendars going back
four years.

I understand I can import them into a new pst. I want to make sure all the
contacts are combined, but not duplicated. Some of the files have months of
calendar entries missing (checked the wrong box on a Palm app) and I would
like the calendar entries from the archives that didn't get deleted to be in
the new pst file.

Could someone please let me know:
1) does the import process duplicate everything, or can it just import those
contacts and calendar items that are not already in the file?
2) What is the smartest way to combine all my pst files into one master and
get rid of the multples, without having to manually dedup or spend $48 for
software.

Thanks!

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP-P/I]]

The import process is NOT TO BE USED under any circumstances! The .PST
import/export feature is broken, it has been for some time, it loses data
and it usually corrupts the Outlook profile in use at the time. The SAFEST
way to do this is to open each .PST file from within Outlook using
'File|Open|Outlook Data File', then drag and drop contents from each into
your new master .PST file. This does not do any duplicate checking, but it
doesn't lose data or corrupt your Outlook profile.

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
http://www.kvoa.com -- "When News breaks, we fix it!"
KVOA Television, Tucson, AZ. NBC Channel 4
Still Cadillacin' - www.badnewsbluesband.com

 

[Roady [MVP]]

In addition to what Hal said;

You can deal with duplicates afterwards by using a duplicates remover.
See http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/duplicates.htm

 

[Oliver Vukovics [Public Shareware]]

Hi Larry,

have a look on this list of "duplicate checker" programs:
http://www.slipstick.com/addins/mail_duplicates.asp

Not on this list but you can use also this Outlook Addin: "Public Duplicate
Eraser"
http://www.publicshareware.com/public-duplicate-eraser-description.php

If you have several folders in one store like:

Calendar 1
Calendar 2
Calendar 3

It will compare the diferent folders and search accross folders for dupes.

You must copy the folders you want to compare in one PST file, then it will
check the folder for duplicates.

Maybe it helps.

 

[LarryMac]

Thank you all for your answers. This is so very complicated. Too bad
someone didn't think it through at the beginning.

One more question: in the mail folder window can you drag folders with the
same name on to each other to combine the contents, or does it overwrite the
bottom folder?

 

[Pat Willener]

You better make a backup of all your PST files before you start the
merge process.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

One more question: in the mail folder window can you drag folders with
the
same name on to each other to combine the contents, or does it overwrite
the
bottom folder?

If you copy a subfolder named "Folder" and there is already a subfolder
named "Folder", Outlook will change the copied folder's name to "Folder1".