Synchonization causing duplicate contacts in Outlook 2003

[Kim]

We have 2 computers with Outlook 2003. To synchronize, we do an export from
the desktop to a CD. Then we import the data into Outlook on the laptop.
Even though I am checking off Do Not Import/Export Duplicates, it still
results in duplicate contact records. Does anyone have any suggestions on
how to prevent the duplicates from being created. I only want the new
contact records to install.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Bad idea. Never try to transfer Outlook data by exporting and importing. Not
only will you fail to prevent duplicates, you will lose or alter other data
along the way.
Next time just copy the Outlook data file, open it in the laptop, and
replace the contents of the laptops Contacts folder with the Contacts from
the desktop. It's a simple copy and paste operation.

 

[Kim]

Can you please walk me through the steps to copy the contacts Outlook data
file. I thought the only way I could create a data file is by exporting the
data. If I go into Contacts and I right click on the Contacts folder, and
then click on Copy Contacts - the only thing it will let me do is to create
another folder in Outlook to copy the data to. Obviously that won't help. I
need to get the data file onto a CD. Then...once I get it on a CD, how do I
paste it? Thank you for your help!

Bad idea. Never try to transfer Outlook data by exporting and importing. Not
only will you fail to prevent duplicates, you will lose or alter other data
along the way.
Next time just copy the Outlook data file, open it in the laptop, and
replace the contents of the laptops Contacts folder with the Contacts from
the desktop. It's a simple copy and paste operation.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

We have 2 computers with Outlook 2003. To synchronize, we do an export
from
the desktop to a CD. Then we import the data into Outlook on the laptop.
Even though I am checking off Do Not Import/Export Duplicates, it still
results in duplicate contact records. Does anyone have any suggestions on
how to prevent the duplicates from being created. I only want the new
contact records to install.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Can you please walk me through the steps to copy the contacts Outlook data
file. I thought the only way I could create a data file is by exporting
the
data. If I go into Contacts and I right click on the Contacts folder, and
then click on Copy Contacts - the only thing it will let me do is to
create
another folder in Outlook to copy the data to. Obviously that won't help.
I
need to get the data file onto a CD. Then...once I get it on a CD, how do
I
paste it? Thank you for your help!

None of the folders in Outlook are file system objects. All of Outlook's
data, contacts, calendar, mail, tasks, notes, etc. are all in the same file.
See if these help:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://www.slipstick.com/emo/2002/up020605.htm#movetonew2002

 

[Kim]

Hi Brian:

I looked at the 2 links and I have found the .pst file on my computer. I
understand how it is telling me to move this file to the laptop and have
Outlook on the laptop look at the new file. However, I do not want the
laptop to look at the tasks and mail that is on the desktop. Just the
contacts and the calendar. Is that possible being that all of the data is
stored in one file? Please let me know. Thanks! Kim

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I looked at the 2 links and I have found the .pst file on my computer. I
understand how it is telling me to move this file to the laptop and have
Outlook on the laptop look at the new file. However, I do not want the
laptop to look at the tasks and mail that is on the desktop. Just the
contacts and the calendar. Is that possible being that all of the data is
stored in one file? Please let me know. Thanks! Kim

Perhaps, then the appreoach you should take is to transfer only the data yoiu
want. Create a new PST with File>New>Outlook Data File. Then copy, one at a
time, the Contacts and the Calendar folders (right-click the folder and choose
Copy) to the new PST, specifying the root of that PST as the destination.
When you're done copying, right-click the root of the new PST and choose
Close. Close Outlook and copy the new PST to the other Outlook instance. It
will contain only the data you wanted copied.