How can I edit my rules from an external programme ?

[Louis Montebello]

I use rules A LOT. Unfortunately I have some duplication which is difficult
to find when you have hundreds of rules. I would like to access my rules with
some other program and delete these rules. Is there a way to access rwz
files. I would also like to know how to rule rules manually but not having to
click on each rule ?

 

[K. Orland]

You don't mention what version of Outlook you're using or what type of email
environment you're in (POP3 or Exchange)?

Use the Mdbvue32 utility from the Exchange Server CD-ROM or
the Exchange Server service pack to view all the rules or download from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...82-4C6E-4EC5-983E-127100D71376&displaylang=en

Export both the client and server user rules from Outlook for safe keeping,
then use MDB Viewer to manually remove all rules from the mailbox. To do
this:


1. Find mdbvu32.exe in the \support\utils directory on any of the Exchange
Server CDs or download.
2. Run mdbvu32.exe.
3. Click OK to clear the first window that pops up.
4. Make sure that your profile is selected in the Choose Profile window and
click OK.
5. Click on the MDB menu option.
6. Click on the OpenMessageStore option.
7. Make sure that "Mailbox- [user's full name]" is selected and click on
Open.
8. Click on the MDB menu option again.
9. Click Open Root Folder.
10. In the Child Folders box - double click on "Top of Information Store".
11. In the next Child Folders box - double click on "Inbox".
12. Look in the Associated Messages in Fld box. All of your rules are in
this box.
13. Once you find the rule that you want to delete then close the properties
for that rule.
14. On the MAPI_FOLDER page make sure that the rule that you want to delete
is still highlighted.
15. In the "Operations available (select operation, then push Call Function
button)" text box, push the drop down button to reveal the list of functions.
16. Scroll down the list of functions until you see "lpFld ->
deleteMessages() (ON SELECTED MSGS)" and then click on it to select it.
17. Next press the Call Function button. This will delete the rule that you
selected.
18. Press the Close button to exit the MAPI_FOLDER window.
19. Press Close again to exit the next window.
20. Press Close again to exit the last window.
21. Click on the MDB menu option.
22. Click Store Logoff. Then click OK and OK again.
23. Click Session and then click on Exit.


Thanks to Don Tan of Microsoft for this information.

 

[Louis Montebello]

Unfortunately I do not have an MS Exchange server. I am using Office Outlook
2003 (11.8002.6568) SP2

 

[mduggins]

Louis,
With a hundred rules and not on an Exchange server, do you ever have trouble
with rules only working intermittently? I also have Outlook 2003 SP2 and only
have about 12 rules which sometimes work and are sometimes ignored. Have been
researching this problem for a while and found no good information, let alone
any solutions.
Any info is appreciated
Mel

 

[montebellomalta]

Louis,
With a hundred rules and not on an Exchange server, do you ever have trouble
with rules only working intermittently? I also have Outlook 2003 SP2 and only
have about 12 rules which sometimes work and are sometimes ignored. Have been
researching this problem for a while and found no good information, let alone
any solutions.
Any info is appreciated
Mel

No they always work but it is difficult to manage them and something I
end up having duplicates (since there is no sorting). I am sure that
something can be done since it is possible to export them to .csv
files. We need a software that reads csv, modifies and rewrites the
file, which is in turn imported back.

 

[Brian Tillman]

No they always work but it is difficult to manage them and something I
end up having duplicates (since there is no sorting).

Rules are designed to run in the order that you specify, since the action of
one rule can affect the actions or conditions of subsequent rules.
Rearranging rules can affect how they work.

I am sure that
something can be done since it is possible to export them to .csv
files.

As far as I can tell, rules cannot be exported as CSV files, only RWZ files.