Duplicating a Distribution List

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom Runge
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom Runge

I was trying to duplicate a distribution list with a new name,
allowing me to modify the contact list without having to rebuild the
entire thing from scratch. I need a list with one or two changes from
the original, and always have to go in and manually add/subtract the
contacts that do not apply. I figured that this would be something
that a LOT of users would use, so thought it would be simple and easy
to figure out. I had no luck, and as far as I can tell, the help file
does not address it either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Tom
 
Why not just drag it to the Desktop, make your changes, rename it, and drag
it back into your Contacts Folder?
 
I would have never thought to try that, as I was under the impression
that the data in outlook is all stored in one data file, i.e., that
the distribution list is not available for changes outside of the
outlook program. I may not have explained that very well, but I did
not think you could access any of the data as you can with program
files with explorer. Am I wrong? An also, if the outlook program
does not have the ability to do what I want to do internally, then I
feel that this is a MAJOR shortcoming, as my wife works with a big
insurance company, and they have distribution lists with 4-5 hundred
contacts. She said they have desired to do exactly what I want to do,
but have to rebuild a new list instead. What a pain in the butt.

Thanks

Tom
 
You can also use the Edit | Copy to Folder command to make a copy of the DL
right in the Contacts folder.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
 
Now THAT is by far the simplest and easiest way to do what I wanted to
do. I tried it, and made a duplicate dist list in about 10 seconds.
After that, all I have to do is rename it, and add/select contacts.
Someone REALLY need to get MS to update their help file with that
info, as I would imagine that the business world would use the heck
out of that procedure if they knew how to do it. Thanks so much for
the help.
 
Yes you can do it. Why else would I have suggested it? Try it and see.

Most experienced Outlook users do not rely on DL's. They are buggy,
unreliable and practically featureless. There are better ways to accomplish
what DL's do, such as Categories, Contact Subfolders, mail merges, etc.
 
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