Importing Outlook contacts

[Bob Umlas, Excel MVP]

2 computers. Computer "A" has about 500 Outlook contacts. Computer "B" has
about 1200 outlook contacts. From computer B I've exported the outlook
contacts to an Excel format, put the result onto an external drive. I put
this drive onto computer A, copied the file to its desktop. Opened Outlook on
computer A, wanted to import the excel file to the contacts, and I don't want
to overwrite, but to merge so when all done, computer A has 1700 contacts.
ONE problem is that the last step of the import doesn't seem to ask where to
get the data from(!). The other problem is that it SEEMS like there's no
merge facility. So, 2 questions:
1) should I create a single excel file with the 1700 contacts (I'm sure I
can do this (Excel MVP)); 2) why is there no step in the import process to
ask where to get the data from?
Thanks.

 

[Karl Timmermans]

An easier approach might be to (exporting/importing contacts for this
scenario is NOT the way to go):

#1 - Copy PST file (will call it PST-B) where contacts are located from
Computer "B" to Computer "A"
#2 - Open PST-B file on Computer "A" (if PST file copied via CD/DVD - make
sure "read-only" attribute is removed for PST-B)
#3 - Open PST-B on Computer "A"
#4 - "Copy" contacts from PST-B to target contact folder
#5 - Close PST-B - Done

As for question re: not asking for source data file - it always does so
sounds like something missing in the steps you mentioned.

Karl

PS: Caveat - above assumes you're using same versions of Outlook on both
machines so skipping PST format info in this response.
___________________________________________________
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

 

[Bob Umlas, Excel MVP]

Should have mentioned re your Caveat -- Outlook 2003 on Computer A; Outlook
2007 on Computer B. Does this make a difference?

 

[Bob Umlas, Excel MVP]

Sorry -- one more thing - I don't want to touch the emails, only the
contacts. Computer A has ~6000 emails, B has none!

 

[Bob Umlas, Excel MVP]

What's the difference between your steps 2 & 3???

 

[Karl Timmermans]

To answer this and the other 2 follow-up questions:

Re: Outlook '2K7 on "B" - the <FROM> computer and O'2K3 - the <TO> computer

If the PST file is in O'2K7 format then do following else if in O'2K3
format - use PST file as is
- create a new PST file in O'2K3 format on "B"
- copy contacts to a new contact folder in the newly created PST file
- close the PST file and copy it to computer "A" as per previous
instructions

Re: About mail items
- you're not touching the emails - just copying the contacts so
non-issue especially if you need to do above

Re: Duplicate steps #2 &3 - just forgot to delete the duplicate line

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

 

[Bob]

I have emailed a copy of my old pst file to myself and saved in on my new
computer, but I can't open the email with outlook(did it through webmail) and
when I try to open the pst file I can't choose outlook(not an available
option).

Dan Goforth

 

[Karl Timmermans]

Open the PST file from within Outlook (File | Open | Outlook Data File) -
not by clicking on the PST file to invoke Outlook which is what it sounds
like you're trying to do (not like clicking on an XLS file which launches
Excel because of the file association).

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