How to Import PAB File into OE

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Douglas R. Hortvet, Jr. - 24 Jul 2003 08:13 GMT

Hello,

I have a PAB file that I want to import to OE 5 (version is 5.00.2615.200).

OS is Win98 SE.

I tried the import utility (file\import\other address book\MS Exchange Personal; Address
Book) and it appeared to run - but nothing was imported.

I tried this with the pab file in the following folders, same negative results for each
case:
- C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
- My Documents
- C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities\{info deleted}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Also, MS Exchange is not installed on the machine running OE 5.

I downloaded Dawn 5.2 - but it does not convert from pab files.

Is this possible to do?

If so - I am most grateful for any specific instructions.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Doug

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Michael Santovec - 24 Jul 2003 19:34 GMT

OE cannot directly read or write PST or PAB files. You have to have a program installed
on the same PC with Outlook Express that can handle PST or PAB files. This would be the
Win95 Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, Outlook97/98/2000+. OE uses the MAPI functions
to get the other program to handle the PST or PAB file and pass the data to it. That
other program must be the default MAPI client, not OE. It uses the default profile of
that program to import data from.

How to Import MMF or PST Files into Outlook Express
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=176267
Err Msg: Messages Cannot Be Imported From the MAPI Client
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188804
OE: MAPI Error Messages When You Import or Export Messages
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=179637

--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Doug

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Doug Hortvet - 24 Jul 2003 21:36 GMT

Mike,

Thanks for the insightful information.

Beyond me why MS is not more consistent, and I have no idea of what MAPI functions are.

Being at work I have yet to review the links you provided - however I am wondering if I
can accomplish this is a round about way by exporting the PAB file to a CSV and then
importing the CSV with OE.

Is that workable?

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,

Doug

>OE cannot directly read or write PST or PAB files. You have to have a program installed
>on the same PC with Outlook Express that can handle PST or PAB files. This would be the
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>OE: MAPI Error Messages When You Import or Export Messages
>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=179637

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Jim Pickering - 24 Jul 2003 21:48 GMT

> Being at work I have yet to review the links you provided - however I am
> wondering if I can accomplish this is a round about way by exporting the
> PAB file to a CSV and then importing the CSV with OE.
>
> Is that workable?

Should work well, although you may have to do some "remapping" of the fields
to agree with those in Outlook Express. Open the PAB file in Outlook, then
use the Outlook menu, File/Import and Export wizard to export it as a CSV
file.

Signature

Jim Pickering, MVP-Outlook Express
Please reply only to the newsgroup.

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Douglas R. Hortvet, Jr. - 26 Jul 2003 05:36 GMT

Thanks Jim and Michael,

The export to CSV and then import worked - although I rather prefer my Exchange 5 PAB
format.

Regards,

Doug

>> Being at work I have yet to review the links you provided - however I am
>> wondering if I can accomplish this is a round about way by exporting the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>use the Outlook menu, File/Import and Export wizard to export it as a CSV
>file.

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