How do I import and export addresses from Microsoft® Outlook® and Outlook Express?

Discussion

Both Microsoft Outlook 98 and Microsoft Outlook Express have the ability to send and receive e-mail via the Internet. There are two ways to share contact information between these two programs. During Outlook 98 Active Setup, you can choose to upgrade a program that uses the Windows Address Book (WAB). Setup will do a silent conversion of the address entries to the contact format used by Outlook 98.

If you choose not to convert during setup, you may do so later using the Import and Export Wizard, a tool to assist you in converting WAB information.

You may store address information in your WAB and export to Outlook 98, or you can share contact information with Outlook 98 and other programs through an option in Outlook Express.

Solution

Importing Outlook 98 Contact Data from Other Programs:

Double-click the Outlook 98 icon.
Click File from the menu bar, and click Import and Export.
Click Import Internet Mail & Addresses, and click Next.
Select the program containing the contact data you wish to use, and then click Next.
Select any combination of Mail and Addresses from the items listed.

NOTE: The steps to import addresses from within Outlook Express are the same, with the exception of an option that is available in Outlook Express to convert rules in addition to contact information.


Click Next.
Select a destination for the imported address data. The destination depends on the type of Outlook 98 installation you initially selected.

NOTE: The Internet Mail Only installation of Outlook 98 will allow you to designate only the Contacts folder as the destination. The Corporate or Workgroup installation will allow you to designate either the Personal Address Book or the Outlook Contacts folder as the destination.


Select the appropriate Duplicate Items option and click Finish to complete the import.
Export the WAB to a Comma-Separated Value File from within Outlook Express:

NOTE: Verify that the field names in the comma-separated value file will match exactly with the other program's internal field names, and make adjustments as necessary. If the field names do not match exactly, the other program will not import the data.



Click File from the menu bar, point to Export, and click Address Book.
Click Text File (Comma-Separated Values), and click Export.
Type a name for the file you are exporting, and click Next.
Select the fields you want exported, and click Finish.

NOTE: Some of the field names may need to be edited to exactly match those that are in use by Outlook 98.


Click OK and click Close.
Import a Comma-Separated Value File into Outlook 98:

NOTE: Verify that the field names in the comma-separated value file match exactly with Outlook 98's internal field names, and make adjustments as necessary. If the field names do not match exactly, the data will not be imported.



Click File the menu bar, and click Import and Export.
Click Import from another program or file, and click Next.
Click Comma-Separated Values (Windows), and click Next.
Click Browse to locate the comma-separated value file ot type the path and filename. For example, C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\addresses.csv.
Select the import location (such as the Contacts folder), and click Next.
The files will begin and complete the import process.
Click OK, and click Finish.
The addresses will now appear in the Outlook 98's Personal Address Book.

Share Outlook 98 Contacts with Outlook Express:

You can share Outlook 98 contacts with Outlook Express if you selected the Internet Mail Only version of Outlook 98 installed. You may choose this option from within Outlook Express.

Double-click the Outlook Express icon.
Click Tools the menu bar, and click Address Book.
Click Tools the Address Book menu bar, and click Options.
Click Share contact information between Microsoft Outlook and other applications, and click OK.
Close the Address Book window.
Restart Outlook Express for the changes to take effect.
Click File on the Outlook Express menu bar, and then click Exit.
The Outlook 98 contact list is now available in both programs.
Drag & Drop Address Information from the WAB to Outlook 98:

Double-click the WAB file to open it.
Double-click the Outlook 98 icon.
Resize the Outlook and WAB windows so that both are visible and next to one another on the screen. Ensure that the Contacts folder is visible in the Outlook window.
Click an entry from the WAB and drag it to the Outlook Contacts folder.
A new Outlook Contact form will be created with the information from the WAB entry.
Click Save and click Close.