Import Item Categories from old.pst to new.pst

[ctc]

I received an Outlook 2007 message that my pst file (first created in outlook
97) had reached it's maximum size and that I should create a new pst file in
the 2007 format and import the items from the old pst file.

I have done that, however none of the categories from the items in the old
pst file are in the new pst file. In fact there are no categories assigned to
any of the imported items in the new file. Additionally the master category
list does not contain any of my categories.

I read the posting to export the registry category and import it but to no
avail, the master category list remains without my categories and none of my
imported items contain the categories I assisned to them in the old pst file.

If I open my old outlook.pst data file all items still have their assigned
categories.

Please advise.

 

[ctc]

Apparently Outlook has both a Categories field and a Category field, which
are not the same thing. If I add and look at the Categories field in the
inbox I see all of the categories assigned to my items. OK.

Now, how do I get the master category list back? For some reason it doesn't
make sense to export and import the category registry key for Outlook 12 (I
assume that means 2007), because it no longer contains the old master
category list. If it did I would already see the old categories in the Master
List in Outlook 2007. If I export and import the Outlook 10 registry key,
nothing changes in the Master Category list in Outlook 2007.

Please advise.

 

[ctc]

If I edit each exported registry key,
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook, the resulting files
are identical which leads me to believe that they both contain my Master
Category List. If that is the case, then why doesn't Outlook 2007 now show my
Master Category list? It shows the defaut list now.

 

[Jocelyn Fiorello [MVP - Outlook]]

You might want to take a look at this article, which explains the correct
ways (depending on Outlook version) to back up and restore a Master Category
List, and also differentiates between the MCL and other categories assigned
manually to individual items.

Also, for future reference, it's always better to move items from one .PST
to another while both are open in Outook, rather than to import items.
Importing tends to strip items of some of the properties they had in their
original location. However, when moving from an old ANSI format .PST to the
new Unicode format .PST, importing may be your only practical option since it
takes less time. You can learn more about this subject here:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/ansi-to-unicode.asp.

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please reply
only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***

 

[Michael Bauer [MVP - Outlook]]

OL 07 doesn't store the Master Category List in the registry. If categories
are asigned to your imported items then you can right-click in OL 07 on the
Personal Folder, chose Properties and click the button on the lower left
corner (somethig like 'Import categories'? - don't remember the name).

--
Viele Gruesse / Best regards
Michael Bauer - MVP Outlook
Export and Import Categories:
<http://www.vboffice.net/product.html?id=2006063&cmd=detail&lang=en&pub=6>


Am Sun, 5 Aug 2007 14:02:01 -0700 schrieb ctc:

 

[ctc]

The button is labelled "upgrade to color categories". If, by it's name, it
adds a color designation to all categories this will enhance my viewing
pleasure but it is totally useless for identification as I routinely use
multiple categories for each item from among about 40 categories. At 40
categories/colors the color variation is too numerous and subtle to be
memorable. If, on the other hand, "upgrade to color categories" will restore
my lost Master Category list, I can ignore the uselessness of the colors and
once again begin using the MCL.

If the MCL for Outlook 2007 is not kept in the registry, where is it kept?
If you can direct me where to find it and reimplement it that would be great!

Please advise.

 

[ctc]

Please, which article explains the correct way to backup and restore a master
category list?

 

[Michael Bauer [MVP - Outlook]]

It's stored now in a hidden message in your default calendar. No way to
access that without a third-party tool (or programming it yourself).

In OL07 every category can have one of twenty colors, I think by default
it's red. If you want to change the default (or none color at all) you
can/must go into the All Categories dialog after the import and edit each
category one by one.

Please also note: The method can only import those categories that are
assigned to the items of the selected store. It doesn't know anything about
your formerly used Master Category List (the entries stored in the registry
aren't necessarily assigned to any items).

To ensure that all entries from the Master Category List get imported,
create in OL 2003 (or whatever was used before OL 07) an e-mail and assign
every category from the Master category List to it. Then move that message
to OL 07 and 'upgrade to color categories'.

Much more comfortable, or if you don't have OL < 2007 installed, is the use
of Category Manager (link in my signature).

--
Viele Gruesse / Best regards
Michael Bauer - MVP Outlook
Organize eMails:
<http://www.vboffice.net/product.html?id=2006063&cmd=detail&lang=en&pub=6>


Am Mon, 6 Aug 2007 06:08:03 -0700 schrieb ctc:

 

[Jocelyn Fiorello [MVP - Outlook]]

I apologize for leaving out the link in my last reply. I think Michael Bauer
is leading you in the right direction, though, so I'll hand this over to him


--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please reply
only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***