Outlook 2003 Shorcuts gone when the contain symbols

[kchisarik]

Apparently there is a bug that causes all shortcuts in Outlook 2003 to VANISH
if you add one that has an apostrophy, pund sign, etc. I would like to know
how to get them back. I am using the lastest service packs and am patched to
date. This bug apparently has been around a long time so I hope there is a
fix.

Why does this still exist?

And no, it wouldnt be easier to just re-enter them....AGAIN!

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The shortcuts on the Shortcuts pane are stored in an XML file (one <profilename>.xml file for each mail profile). Some special characters like apostrophes need special treatment in order to work inside an .xml file. Because Outlook 2003 does not "escape" those characters with the correct codes that would make the text compatible with XML, problems occur.

So, yes, you are correct that this is a bug. However, I don't expect it to be fixed, because the Shortcuts pane is deemphasized, starting in Outlook 2003. Most users probably never even find that pane.

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

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