Outlook 2007 label/categories mess...

[atkscott]

I'm so disappointed with what MS did to Outlook 2007 with regards to
labels and categories. Our company has been using public calendars for
many years. We use labels to color code various events. The fact that
these label lists are part of the calendar object is very important to
us. It allows us to create a unique list/color coding for each
calendar instance. This has become a standard for us. With Outlook
2007 eliminating labels but adding color to categories, I was
concerned but thought we could make it work with the new colored
categories.

As it turns out, there's no way we can. The problem is that the
categories are now stored as a hidden item in the default calendar
folder. Seems like a good idea, categories are now consistent for the
user regardless of what client they use. But this means that the
categories are personal and there is no way to export/import the list
through the registry as in past versions. Big mistake...I'm all for
simplifying things but this change actually makes thing more
difficult.

So by eliminating the labels and by killing access to the categories,
there is no public/company-wide way to color code calendar events/
appointments. All they had to do is extend this idea to all calendar
objects, individually, and allow the object owner(s) to manage the
list (just like with labels). Ideally the owner could start from his
master categories and customize from there.

....Wow...unbelievable...I know that MS wants to phase-out public
folders and force everyone to sharepoint but come on. Surely MS must
realize that outlook is more than just a personal email
client...right?

So I will be rolling back our 75 seats to 2003 until MS hopefully
fixes this. Surely I'm not the only one with this problem...

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

there is no way to export/import the list

through the registry as in past versions.

Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.adm file for GPO have settings for deploying categories, appending them to what the user already has. This is the GPO entry:

KEYNAME Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Preferences
VALUENAME NewCategories

Delimit the new categories by semicolon.

That said, I'd suggest strongly that you file a support incident with Microsoft on this issue. I don't think they were aware of the impact that the change would have on organizations that have highly customized individual calendar folders shared either in Public Folders or in a mailbox.

I also expect that, since categories are now first-class programming objects, some enterprising developer will come out with a utility to assist in 2003 -> 2007 migrations.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

 

[atkscott]

Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.adm file for GPO have settings for deployingcategories, appending them to what the user already has. This is the GPO entry:

KEYNAME Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Preferences
VALUENAME NewCategories

Delimit the newcategoriesby semicolon.

Thanks Sue. Unfortunately (correct me if I'm wrong) this will only set
the category text values and there's no way to automate the color
assignments via GPO or regedit...right? Our use of labels with
calendars is mainly a visual thing...

That said, I'd suggest strongly that you file a support incident with Microsoft on this issue.

Without any Technet/MSDN or support subscription, what would you
suggest as the best way?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Thanks Sue. Unfortunately (correct me if I'm wrong) this will only set

the category text values and there's no way to automate the color
assignments via GPO or regedit...right? Our use of labels with
calendars is mainly a visual thing...

That would require custom programming.

Without any Technet/MSDN or support subscription, what would you
suggest as the best way?

If you have a retail copy of Office or Outlook, support incidents are free for the first 60 days after activation. Otherwise, it's up to you to decide whether it's worth your nickel to have put in your voice on this issue.

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

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

 

[David Roberts]

We have the same problem as posted by atkscot on Friday, April 06, 2007.

We have reoccurring appointments that we send diffent workers to and were very happy with how Outlook 2003 allowed us to use different colour labels to easily show us who was scheduled to go to what appointment when. When we upgraded to Office 2007 we found out that when we change the colour of one appointment in the series of reoccuring appointments using Colour Category, it changes all the reocurring appointment colours. Could someone please provide an update so we can have the option of only changing the colour of one of the appointments in the series of the reoccurring appointments? Please help someone!






atkscot wrote:

Outlook 2007 label/categories mess...
06-Apr-07

I'm so disappointed with what MS did to Outlook 2007 with regards to
labels and categories. Our company has been using public calendars for
many years. We use labels to color code various events. The fact that
these label lists are part of the calendar object is very important to
us. It allows us to create a unique list/color coding for each
calendar instance. This has become a standard for us. With Outlook
2007 eliminating labels but adding color to categories, I was
concerned but thought we could make it work with the new colored
categories.

As it turns out, there's no way we can. The problem is that the
categories are now stored as a hidden item in the default calendar
folder. Seems like a good idea, categories are now consistent for the
user regardless of what client they use. But this means that the
categories are personal and there is no way to export/import the list
through the registry as in past versions. Big mistake...I'm all for
simplifying things but this change actually makes thing more
difficult.

So by eliminating the labels and by killing access to the categories,
there is no public/company-wide way to color code calendar events/
appointments. All they had to do is extend this idea to all calendar
objects, individually, and allow the object owner(s) to manage the
list (just like with labels). Ideally the owner could start from his
master categories and customize from there.

....Wow...unbelievable...I know that MS wants to phase-out public
folders and force everyone to sharepoint but come on. Surely MS must
realize that outlook is more than just a personal email
client...right?

So I will be rolling back our 75 seats to 2003 until MS hopefully
fixes this. Surely I'm not the only one with this problem...

Previous Posts In This Thread:

Outlook 2007 label/categories mess...
I'm so disappointed with what MS did to Outlook 2007 with regards to
labels and categories. Our company has been using public calendars for
many years. We use labels to color code various events. The fact that
these label lists are part of the calendar object is very important to
us. It allows us to create a unique list/color coding for each
calendar instance. This has become a standard for us. With Outlook
2007 eliminating labels but adding color to categories, I was
concerned but thought we could make it work with the new colored
categories.

As it turns out, there's no way we can. The problem is that the
categories are now stored as a hidden item in the default calendar
folder. Seems like a good idea, categories are now consistent for the
user regardless of what client they use. But this means that the
categories are personal and there is no way to export/import the list
through the registry as in past versions. Big mistake...I'm all for
simplifying things but this change actually makes thing more
difficult.

So by eliminating the labels and by killing access to the categories,
there is no public/company-wide way to color code calendar events/
appointments. All they had to do is extend this idea to all calendar
objects, individually, and allow the object owner(s) to manage the
list (just like with labels). Ideally the owner could start from his
master categories and customize from there.

....Wow...unbelievable...I know that MS wants to phase-out public
folders and force everyone to sharepoint but come on. Surely MS must
realize that outlook is more than just a personal email
client...right?

So I will be rolling back our 75 seats to 2003 until MS hopefully
fixes this. Surely I'm not the only one with this problem...

Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.
Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.adm file for GPO have =
settings for deploying categories, appending them to what the user =
already has. This is the GPO entry:

KEYNAME Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Preferences
VALUENAME NewCategories

Delimit the new categories by semicolon.

That said, I'd suggest strongly that you file a support incident with =
Microsoft on this issue. I don't think they were aware of the impact =
that the change would have on organizations that have highly customized =
individual calendar folders shared either in Public Folders or in a =
mailbox.=20

I also expect that, since categories are now first-class programming =
objects, some enterprising developer will come out with a utility to =
assist in 2003 -> 2007 migrations.=20
--=20
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for=20
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

=20

Thanks Sue.
Thanks Sue. Unfortunately (correct me if I'm wrong) this will only set
the category text values and there's no way to automate the color
assignments via GPO or regedit...right? Our use of labels with
calendars is mainly a visual thing...



Without any Technet/MSDN or support subscription, what would you
suggest as the best way?

That would require custom programming.
That would require custom programming.=20


If you have a retail copy of Office or Outlook, support incidents are =
free for the first 60 days after activation. Otherwise, it's up to you =
to decide whether it's worth your nickel to have put in your voice on =
this issue.=20

--=20
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for=20
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

=20
have settings for deployingcategories, appending them to what the user =
already has. This is the GPO entry:
Microsoft on this issue.


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Using the Intercepting Filter Pattern to create a Generic Reusable Processing Pipeline
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...7-c7f21cbe1b3c/using-the-intercepting-fi.aspx

 

[Michael Bauer [MVP - Outlook]]

It's still not possible to assign a category to just one occurrence of a
recurring appointment.

--
Best regards
Michael Bauer - MVP Outlook
Manage and share your categories:
<http://www.vboffice.net/product.html?pub=6&lang=en>


Am Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:44:49 -0800 schrieb David Roberts:

We have the same problem as posted by atkscot on Friday, April 06, 2007.

We have reoccurring appointments that we send diffent workers to and were

very happy with how Outlook 2003 allowed us to use different colour labels
to easily show us who was scheduled to go to what appointment when. When we
upgraded to Office 2007 we found out that when we change the colour of one
appointment in the series of reoccuring appointments using Colour Category,
it changes all the reocurring appointment colours. Could someone please
provide an update so we can have the option of only changing the colour of
one of the appointments in the series of the reoccurring appointments?
Please help someone!

atkscot wrote:

Outlook 2007 label/categories mess...
06-Apr-07

I'm so disappointed with what MS did to Outlook 2007 with regards to
labels and categories. Our company has been using public calendars for
many years. We use labels to color code various events. The fact that
these label lists are part of the calendar object is very important to
us. It allows us to create a unique list/color coding for each
calendar instance. This has become a standard for us. With Outlook
2007 eliminating labels but adding color to categories, I was
concerned but thought we could make it work with the new colored
categories.

As it turns out, there's no way we can. The problem is that the
categories are now stored as a hidden item in the default calendar
folder. Seems like a good idea, categories are now consistent for the
user regardless of what client they use. But this means that the
categories are personal and there is no way to export/import the list
through the registry as in past versions. Big mistake...I'm all for
simplifying things but this change actually makes thing more
difficult.

So by eliminating the labels and by killing access to the categories,
there is no public/company-wide way to color code calendar events/
appointments. All they had to do is extend this idea to all calendar
objects, individually, and allow the object owner(s) to manage the
list (just like with labels). Ideally the owner could start from his
master categories and customize from there.

...Wow...unbelievable...I know that MS wants to phase-out public
folders and force everyone to sharepoint but come on. Surely MS must
realize that outlook is more than just a personal email
client...right?

So I will be rolling back our 75 seats to 2003 until MS hopefully
fixes this. Surely I'm not the only one with this problem...

Previous Posts In This Thread:

Outlook 2007 label/categories mess...
I'm so disappointed with what MS did to Outlook 2007 with regards to
labels and categories. Our company has been using public calendars for
many years. We use labels to color code various events. The fact that
these label lists are part of the calendar object is very important to
us. It allows us to create a unique list/color coding for each
calendar instance. This has become a standard for us. With Outlook
2007 eliminating labels but adding color to categories, I was
concerned but thought we could make it work with the new colored
categories.

As it turns out, there's no way we can. The problem is that the
categories are now stored as a hidden item in the default calendar
folder. Seems like a good idea, categories are now consistent for the
user regardless of what client they use. But this means that the
categories are personal and there is no way to export/import the list
through the registry as in past versions. Big mistake...I'm all for
simplifying things but this change actually makes thing more
difficult.

So by eliminating the labels and by killing access to the categories,
there is no public/company-wide way to color code calendar events/
appointments. All they had to do is extend this idea to all calendar
objects, individually, and allow the object owner(s) to manage the
list (just like with labels). Ideally the owner could start from his
master categories and customize from there.

...Wow...unbelievable...I know that MS wants to phase-out public
folders and force everyone to sharepoint but come on. Surely MS must
realize that outlook is more than just a personal email
client...right?

So I will be rolling back our 75 seats to 2003 until MS hopefully
fixes this. Surely I'm not the only one with this problem...

Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.
Actually, you can import. Both OCT and the Outlk12.adm file for GPO have =
settings for deploying categories, appending them to what the user =
already has. This is the GPO entry:

KEYNAME Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Preferences
VALUENAME NewCategories

Delimit the new categories by semicolon.

That said, I'd suggest strongly that you file a support incident with =
Microsoft on this issue. I don't think they were aware of the impact =
that the change would have on organizations that have highly customized =
individual calendar folders shared either in Public Folders or in a =
mailbox.=20

I also expect that, since categories are now first-class programming =
objects, some enterprising developer will come out with a utility to =
assist in 2003 -> 2007 migrations.=20
--=20
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for=20
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

=20

Thanks Sue.
Thanks Sue. Unfortunately (correct me if I'm wrong) this will only set
the category text values and there's no way to automate the color
assignments via GPO or regedit...right? Our use of labels with
calendars is mainly a visual thing...



Without any Technet/MSDN or support subscription, what would you
suggest as the best way?

That would require custom programming.
That would require custom programming.=20


If you have a retail copy of Office or Outlook, support incidents are =
free for the first 60 days after activation. Otherwise, it's up to you =
to decide whether it's worth your nickel to have put in your voice on =
this issue.=20

--=20
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for=20
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

=20
have settings for deployingcategories, appending them to what the user =
already has. This is the GPO entry:
Microsoft on this issue.


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Using the Intercepting Filter Pattern to create a Generic Reusable Processing Pipeline

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...7-c7f21cbe1b3c/using-the-intercepting-fi.aspx