Cannot rename "User Field 1" in public folder contact properties

[Gregg Hill]

Hello!

Cross-posted to SBS group!

I have SBS 2003 with Exchange 2003 and I am accessing my account with
Outlook 2007. In my public folders, I have a contacts folder. Using Outlook
2007, I double-click a contact and then click All Fields of the Show item in
the tool ribbon. I then select Miscellaneous fields, click on User Field 1,
then click Properties. I want to change its name, but the Name, Type, and
Format boxes are all grayed out. I am logged in as a domain admin.

How can I rename one of the "User Field" items? So far in my Googling for
the last half hour, I have found at least one person saying they cannot be
renamed, and another who just says "...you might consider giving the field a
better name."!

Thank you for your help!

Gregg Hill

--

Apostrophes: when in doubt, leave them out! You will be correct more often
than not.

Its = Belonging to it. For example, "Look at the sky. Its color is blue."
It's = It is. For example, "It's hot today."
It's = It has. For example, "It's been nice talking to you."
Its' = completely incorrect usage. Stop it!

 

[Karl Timmermans]

No standard Outlook field name (which includes fields <User Field 1-4>) can
be renamed. Has nothing to do with SBS or Exchange in general (or whether or
not you are an Admin). Outlook fields <User Field 1-4> should not be
confused with <Exchange Attributes 1-15> for GAL based entries (properties
managed by Exch Admin)

One alternative option to having fields with custom names

#1 - Create a custom form and add whatever additional fields you want.
#2 - Publish the form to the Exch Org Lib or the specific Pub Folder
#3 - Change the default MessageClass (Form) to be used for the folder to the
custom form name just published
#4 - Change the message class for all pre-existing contacts to the new
custom form so that all contacts are viewed using the custom form
(requires a 3rd party utility - several free options available one
of which is:
<ContactGenie Message Class Modifier> -
http://www.contactgenie.com/cgtmcm.htm
other option: <DocMessageClass>
http://www.publicshareware.com/public-share-outlook-utilities.php

Other choice is to add a user-defined field to the Pub Folder which will get
added to a contact when a value is entered for that field/contact.

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

 

[Gregg Hill]

Thank you both for the information!

Gregg Hill