NK2csv - free utility to export nk2 files to csv

[Vinas]

Greetings,

I've recently ran into problems with the Outlook autocompletion cache
which stores it's information in the *.NK2 file format. When I opened
the file I noticed that it's some type of data file and not exactly
plain text. As a result, I searched on the web for a utility that would
allow me to view the contents of the nk2 file in an easy to read
format. The only thing I could find which related to this is a ton of
posts from some guy named "Randy" all over the web telling people to
use "Owtlook" at the http://www.dcs-imaging.com website.

Not wanting to pay the $35 for the new version (called ingressor), I
created a simple utility. I'm posting here to inform you all of my FREE
NK2 utility called NK2csv. This utility is small in size (under 5MB)
and has the ability to export your NK2 addresses into a csv format
which will allow you to import them into Outlook. The code is
opensource, and is %100 functional and free for home users. I have not
decided if I will charge corporations to use NK2csv.

Anyway, thought some of you may be interested in this utility. The
development is at 75% completion. Here is a list of what it can do
right now:

- Scan and determine NK2 file size
- Count and display the number of e-mail addresses stored in your NK2
file
- Display each counted e-mail address in list format inside the app
- Ability to copy & paste address to other location or app

What the completed version will do:

- Export to a comma separated value (*.csv) so you may import into
Outlook
- Backup your current NK2 file so you can safely erase or "start fresh"
with a new NK2 file
- Make perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches*


*(well, maybe a future version - this isn't quite working)

There is no downloadable version available *yet*. A website link will
be posted here ASAP so you may download a beta version.

Best regards,
Josh Davis, MCP, A+

 

[Vinas]

The NK2csv project website it up and the address is
http://www.epute.com/nk2csv/

Please note that the current version is in beta. Check the site for
download links. Like I mentioned before, this utility it 100% free.

Cheers,
JD

 

[Brian Tillman]

Anyway, thought some of you may be interested in this utility.

I tried it and thought it was good.

The
development is at 75% completion. Here is a list of what it can do
right now:

- Scan and determine NK2 file size

However, it did not find the location of the NK2 file. I had to browse to
it. It opened with "USERNAME" in the path and "Outlook.NK2" as the file
name. It really should be able to locate the actual file by itself.

Other than that one "flaw", it performed as advertized.

 

[Vinas]

Brain,

Thank you for the feedback. I've updated to current version to
automatically open the NK2 file of the profile you're logged in as. The
current version (.04 beta) also exports to Windows CSV format for easy
importing to Outlook.

Regards,
Josh Davis

nk2csv project website:
http://www.epute.com/nk2csv/

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thank you for the feedback. I've updated to current version to
automatically open the NK2 file of the profile you're logged in as.

Better. Keep the display showing the currently opened file, though. When
will allow deleting and adding (hint, hint)?

 

[Vinas]

Brian,

Thanks for the input. I've added the file open box again... This
version is better than ever but the size is much bigger @ 585KB. If you
have an old version you may want to check this one out. I may have
adding and deleting working on the first regular (non-beta) verison of
the program.

here's a list of changess:

Version .05 beta released 8/6/05 11:10PM
Features Added
- Re-added "Locate NK2 File" box with improved functionality
- Added custom graphical buttons
- Status info bar added
- Misc changes to layout
- File loading process improved
- Clear button now works better
- Improved help menu

Bug Fixes
- Fixed an error that caused exported files to be save without an
extension
- Fixed hanging on file load
- A few minor bug fixes related to work flow

Visit the NK2csv project website for a quick download
http://www.epute.com/nk2csv/

Cheers,
Josh

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thanks for the input. I've added the file open box again...

It still doesn't locate the NK2 file unless one browses for it. For
example, If I have a user named "Brian" and a mail profile named "Tillman",
when I start the tool, it displays

C:\Documents and Settings\Brian\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.NK2

when it should be displaying

C:\Documents and Settings\Brian\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Tillman.NK2

When I click the Browse button, the Tillman.NK2 file shows up (it's the only
NK2 file in the folder) and I can select it and see its contents, but I
shouldn't have to browse at all unless I want to change to another NK2 file.
It's also quite a bit slower reading the file than prior versions.

One last request (and if it's difficult, don't bother): sort the addresses.

 

[Joemonkey]

I just want to say THANK YOU for coming up with this program. I do have a
feature request in the next version though, Owtlook/Ingressor displayed both
the name you type in and the email address associated with it. Is it
possible to include that in a future version?

 

[Tobbe]

Thanks Josh.

This was exactly what I needed. I wanted to export the contents of my
nk2 file and remove all the unwanted addresses, sort of a cleaning
process if you will.

I also have suggestion for you. How about adding the possibility to use
different types of separators beside comma? It's not that uncommon that
commas are present in a users displayname for instance....

But again - Thanks alot for making an effort!

 

[Vinas]

Hi Tobbe,

Thanks for checking out the NK2csv project. I'm glad people are able to
put this early version to use.

There are many features being added to the new version. Thanks for the
suggestion, but I have a question. Why would someone want a file other
than in csv format? It's a rather simple task to allow different
separators from a programming perspective. Just curious.

Best Regards,
Josh

 

[Brian Tillman]

There are many features being added to the new version. Thanks for the
suggestion, but I have a question. Why would someone want a file other
than in csv format? It's a rather simple task to allow different
separators from a programming perspective. Just curious.

As you add features, you may find that you can save other fields in the file
as well, and some of those fields may contain commas. Thus, is would be a
good idea at least to support Tab Separated Value (tsv) output as well.
Additionally, your utility should allow the user to browse to the folder in
which the exported file should be placed and allow the user to choose the
file name, rather than always creating it in C:\ and calling it
nk2export.csv.