Found and copied the pst file from machine 1 using the search engine,
outlook
closed. On machine 2 copied the form using tools - forms - choose
forms -
user templates in system. Published form. Went to tools - account
settings - data settings - add - added the copied pst file from machine
1.
Now another set of personal files appears. Contacts are there, but the
standard contact form is used. Changed properties of this contact
folder
to
use the custom form. The custom form appears on all contacts but with
blank
fields. Adding a new contact uses the new form. Tried making the new
pst
file the default file. Removed the current pst file from machine 2
utilizing only the copied pst file from machine 1. Adds the contacts
but
none of the custom field information.
Sorry to be a pain, but thanking you for tackling this one!
:
Rather than try and disect all the various steps you've followed,
going
to
take this back to absolute basics just to confirm whether you can or
cannot
read/use
the PST file from one computer on another
To summarize:
Objective for this exercise - Use PST from Machine #1 on Machine#2 via
external HD (and vice-versa)
Process:
1) Copy PST from machine #1 to ext HD (Outlook closed on machine #1)
2) on machine #2 - from Outlook file menu - Open Data File - select
PST
file on ext HD
- does the PST file not open up?
- if open, does the contact folder inside this PST file not
appear?
- if contact folder there - is the contact info not correct?
This doesn't address using a common PST file on both machines etc -
just
whether or not you can access the same contact info on 2 machines.
Please
note - there is no requirement to go into your Account options or play
with
your default settings etc.
Karl
___________________________________________________
Karl Timmermans - The Claxton Group
ContactGenie - Importer 1.3 / DataPorter 2.0 / Exporter
"Power contact importers/exporters for MS Outlook '2000/2007"
http://www.contactgenie.com
Well, not sure where I am going wrong but this just hasn't seemed to
want
to
work for me.
I simply "copied" the pst file. Dropped it on the external hard
drive
and
to a disc just because. Took it to the office. Opened Outlook
2007.
Republished the custom form to be sure I had all custom fields etc.
Opened
the accounts menu, added the new data - pst file (did not make it
the
default). Outlook created new "personal file fields that included
all
but
did not add custom fields. Went to properties, designated the
correct
form
to use, still no luck. Tried to make the new pst data file the
default
and
removed the pst at the office file. No, didn't want that either.
The new custom form appears when trying to add a new contact so
thats
correct. I could not figure out how to create the custom contact
folder
designating the correct form BEFORE I tried to add the new pst file.
Thinking maybe that was the issue.
I only want the contacts portion of the pst file but can work around
getting
the whole enchalada if it would just bring in the contacts with the
updated
info and correct custom contact form.
I tried other ways within outlook 2007 to "open" the file, but
nothing
seemed to work. The current list of contacts at the office remained
in
tack
from last manually doing the updates. The new "personal" contact
folders
showed as a regular outlook contact form. No custom fields were
filled.
I tried removing the office pst file and only listing the new pst
file
from
home. That was a no go too. Okay, so now I am on a mission! HELP!
:
Some suggestions/alternatives that will save you a lot of
heartburn:
#1 - First and foremost, DO NOT use <export> for this scenario,
absolutely
no need for it (truth be told - have yet to find a valid reason for
anyone
to import/export PST files for any scenario). Also, as an aside,
you
can't
import/export any custom fields using the Outlook import/export
wizard.
You'd need a 3rd party product (like one of the ones we provide)
but
in
this
case, simply not necessary, not recommended and would strongly
advise
staying away from anything "import/export" in this case. This of
course
assumes that contacts at work are NOT also being updated at the
same
time
you are updating contacts at home. If that's the case, then the
following
items would work:
Before continuing with alternatives, just a sidenote - there is
nothing
to
prevent you from maintaining your PST file on an external drive and
using
that same PST file on both systems - just as long as everything is
configured correctly (i.e. points to the correct PST file). That
said......
#2 - If you want to maintain your primary PST file on the hard
drive
at
work
and update it at home "as a for instance" - all you need to do is
the
following:
a) copy PST file from office to external drive
b) at home, open the PST file on the external drive in
Outlook
c) update as necessary
d) when back at work, copy PST file back to original
location
(with Outlook closed)
e) open Outlook and you should be good to go
#3 - If for some reason, you want to maintain a copy of this data
on
both
hard drives (work and office) - simply copy PST file from external
drive
(this presumes you're using the same PST file name on both systems
and
that
the custom form has been published to the folder to ensure that
everything
remains constant.
Karl
___________________________________________________
Karl Timmermans - The Claxton Group
ContactGenie - Importer 1.3 / DataPorter 2.0 / Exporter
"Power contact importers/exporters for MS Outlook '2000/2007"
http://www.contactgenie.com
I use a small external hard drive, saving the file(s) as a .pst
file.
using
the export feature in outlook. Then when I get to work I just
tried
to
open
that pst file within Outlook 2007 there and/or add another
personal
file.
Doesn't seem to want to work.
:
how are you moving the updated contacts to the work computer?
--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Need Help with Common Tasks?
http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/
Outlook 2007:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/ol2007/
I work from home and update contact information on my system,
then
go
into
the office once a week. I use a portable ext hard drive to
transport
updates
info etc.
I am running Windows XP Pro Office 2007 Pro (Outlook 2007) and
the
system
at
the office runs the same.
I have developed a custom contact form. But I cannot figure
out
how
to
transfer the .pst file or update the system at the office
without
reloading
all the custom fields manually. I tried to export and import
the
pst
file
but doesn't seem to work. Exported to a excel file but the
custom
fields
will not import. The mapping, well, brother, do not know
where
and
if
to
begin. The custom form is published and looks the same on
both
systems.
We
are not running exchange, the program is not shared at this
point.
Is there anyway to update outlook 2007 from one system to
another
with
custom fields that anyone knows of and not be a programmer?
Thanks Much, Sally
