contact folders (outlook 2003)

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Is there a way to compare and then merge (without duplicates) multiple contact folders

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I think the only way you can do this is to Export each of the Contact lists to text files, compare the resulting files, make the necessary edits (i.e. delete the duplicates), and then import the appropriate edited files back into your main Contacts list. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Edited to add: see this KB article

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Provided you have Access, it should be much less laborious to export the Contacts folders directly into Access and then run a Query with the UniqueRecords property set to Yes. HTH

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Good suggestion. The files can also be exported to Excel, combined, and then sorted to identify duplicates.

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Actually, there is are a couple of different ways to do this. This is at least how I do it.
1: you can do an import and export of an individual sub folder, and then import that folder into an other folder, and click on “do not import duplicates”. Works for me.
2: you can using the “advanced search” function, add search criteria to pull up certain contacts and then copy them to the folder you want. I use this method often, where I have a contact in say a “personal” category, as well as another category.
3: You can assign multiple categories to an individual contact. That way the contact will appear in any of the subfolders in contacts that are appropriate.
dont know if that is what you are trying to do. Just my .02 1/2 cents worth

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