Import Contact Data for certain fields only - update not replace entire contact

[Pennycook]

I have contact data to import back into Outlook. These are contacts that
already exist in this Outlook Contacts folders with good e-mail address but
no mailing address. But I only want to import and update the address, city,
state, zip, and I want the e-mail that's in there to stay there. The only
choices I get for when Outlook finds duplicate on import is: replace the
contact with the new data (that doesn't help me because it clears out the e-
mail), or create a duplicate, or don't import dupes.

The problem is that when the contacts got exported in order to be cleaned up
and have addresses added, I didn't export ALL the data including those e-
mails & Categories. We have 2,000 contacts now with good addresses to go
back in. I want my data to "merge" with the data already in Outlook, and
overwrite any fields where I bring in new data. Like the same way Outlook
functions if you are adding a single client, and it thinks it's a duplicate -
you can choose to update old contact with new data.

Thank you!

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

What you might need to do is import the data, creating duplicate items, then use a free duplicate merge tool to combine that information with the existing items. See http://www.slipstick.com/addins/contacts.htm for such tools

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Next time I wouldn't use export to the PST format to "clean up Contacts"
since you have no control over the fields you want to alter. Most users who
do this export to a format such as Excel to manipulate their data, then
import back so they can retain full control over field mapping.
There's almost never a good reason to export to Outlook's native format. Too
many surprises if you do.

 

[Jessie via OfficeKB.com]

Sue - thank you - great idea - I saw this site once but somehow I thought I
had to buy the dupe merge tool. Yes, I don't mind bringing in dupes if there
is an easy way to merge all. I will check it out. I also found another
possible solution - that is - remove all the map fields on the right hand
side of the field map. It could be their very existance is bringing in empty
data to those e-mail fields. Also - good timing on a dupe merge tool - the
person I am doing this for - her last PDA Sync created 1600 duplicates in her
Outlook Contacts! Different problem - but maybe this will help both issues.
Thanks!

What you might need to do is import the data, creating duplicate items, then use a free duplicate merge tool to combine that information with the existing items. See http://www.slipstick.com/addins/contacts.htm for such tools

I have contact data to import back into Outlook. These are contacts that
already exist in this Outlook Contacts folders with good e-mail address but

[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]

Thank you!

 

[Jessie via OfficeKB.com]

Russ thanks for message. I am working in Excel for the cleanup. Maybe my
posting wasn't clear. I exported all the fields except e-mail & categories
(that was my first mistake) - then we had someone enter in all the missing
addresses and that's what I want to import back into Outlook contacts.

Next time I wouldn't use export to the PST format to "clean up Contacts"
since you have no control over the fields you want to alter. Most users who
do this export to a format such as Excel to manipulate their data, then
import back so they can retain full control over field mapping.
There's almost never a good reason to export to Outlook's native format. Too
many surprises if you do.

I have contact data to import back into Outlook. These are contacts that
already exist in this Outlook Contacts folders with good e-mail address

[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]

Thank you!