Importing from multiple .pst files

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I have two older .pst files that were created with Outlook 2003, and I want to import the messages into Outlook 2007. What kind of compatibility issues can I expet to encounter?
I also have been using my ISP’s web-based email service in order to avoid creating even more .pst files before I got my “regular” computer back up and running – I will definitely call the ISP’s tech support line for specifics in doing so, but I have a concern that it might not be possible to pull the messages into Outlook off of the server after they’ve been read. I hope this is an irrational notion, springing from the messages disappearing off the server once they have been pulled into Outlook – but better to worry now than later.
It should be as simple as connecting to the POP3 server while configuring Outlook for first use, right? The email address for Outlook is the same as for the server, as well as the older .pst files, so at least there won’t be any problems with different email addresses at some point.

Thanks in advance!!

On a semi-related issue, this is my first time using Office 2007 and I cannot stand the move away from the old button bar/menu system. Is there any option to revert to the older look and feel, or am I stuck with this new look?

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I have two older .pst files that were created with Outlook 2003, and I want to import the messages into Outlook 2007. What kind of compatibility issues can I expet to encounter?

There may be issues with losing categories, so if you create your own categories, definitely research that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t anticipate any problems.

I have a concern that it might not be possible to pull the messages into Outlook off of the server after they’ve been read. I hope this is an irrational notion, springing from the messages disappearing off the server once they have been pulled into Outlook – but better to worry now than later.
It should be as simple as connecting to the POP3 server while configuring Outlook for first use, right? The email address for Outlook is the same as for the server, as well as the older .pst files, so at least there won’t be any problems with different email addresses at some point.[/quote]
Assuming the messages still are on the server, I think getting duplicate messages is more likely than not getting them at all. However, I haven’t tried what you’re doing (i.e., using a POP mail client to retrieve messages that already were “read” in a webmail client). No idea whether that changes anything.

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Works just fine with Outlook at home. On vacation I access email via browser. On retruning home I start Outlook and get all messages in my inbox.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks, guys!

Jefferson – when you say “losing categories”, do you mean that self-created folders may disappear and the messages in them would all end up in the Inbox (for example) – or do you mean that both the folders and the messages in them would be lost?

Having to re-sort messages I can deal with; losing them is another thing entirely.

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Jefferson – when you say “losing categories”, do you mean that self-created folders may disappear and the messages in them would all end up in the Inbox (for example) – or do you mean that both the folders and the messages in them would be lost?

Not folders, but categories you assign to a message. If the term isn’t familiar, you probably aren’t using them.

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On a semi-related issue, this is my first time using Office 2007 and I cannot stand the move away from the old button bar/menu system. Is there any option to revert to the older look and feel, or am I stuck with this new look?

You can change to the older 2003 format but I don’t have the command handy. Microsoft has posted a number of very helpful files on transition from 2003 to either 07 or 10 on their website. I tried to attach a 2003 to 2007 crosswalk file to this post but can’t figure out how.

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I’ve been looking on the web for ways to revert from the 2007 ribbons to the 2003 menu/button bar look – seems like it requires an external program, that will add to the existing ribbon layout – the most viable option only works with Excel and Word (the programs I use the most – except for Outlook).
Seems like this is one of those times where Microsoft won’t change back no matter how badly the user community wants them to. The logic being that everybody’s happy with it because they bought it.
I’ll give the thing a chance, but I’ll probably just have to get used to the new Big Brother “option”.

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Aah, ok – that’s a relief. No, I don’t use them – I haven’t used Outlook for anything more than basic email functionality since 2007 and even then, I didn’t use categories. But I’m sure they’re the same as I used in Time & Chaos – anyway, sounds like I won’t be losing actual messages, so that is definitely good news!

Thanks again!!

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To djmoore:

There is a program available on the Internet, free for personal usage called: UBitMenuSetupUK.V1.04.exe . The original web site (in German) is: http://www.ubit.ch/

The actual download link is: http://www.ubit.ch/fileadmin/UBitMenu/UBitMenuSetupUK.exe

The program is an Office add-in that works in Office 2007 and Office 2010. It adds a “Menu” tab to the top line of many of the Office products, such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. The free version does not work on Outlook. Nor in Publisher nor in Access. I know, positively, since I use it on my own system and I use Office 2010, and Outlook does not have the Menu tab provided by the add-in, nor does the add-in even install itself into Outlook.

Good luck!
Randy

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One more (maybe?) question about importing email – only because my paranoia knows no bounds.

There’s no order (such as chronological) that I have to follow when importing, is there? I would be going chronologically, starting with the oldest, anyway.
And I’ll be giving the various .pst files different names in order to avoid any chance of overwriting.

And thanks, Randy – the Ubit program was the one I found that only worked with Word and Excel, according to the reviews I read. But the thing I miss even more than the menu (much more) is the ability to customize toolbars – I used toolbars almost exclusively with Office up until now.

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DJ,

You have an option you may not be aware of, with regard to using your “old” pst files. You can import them, or you can just add them as additional PST files. When I reload (or set up a new) system for a client, and they use Outlook, I only import the main PST file, which will contain their contacts, calendar and emails. The other PST files usually only contain email (and are archives) so they can be just added. Then, they do not add space to the main PST file.

To add your files, open up the Mail applet from inside the Control Panel. Click on the Data Files button. Under the Data Files tab, you should see the Add button. Just click it, and navigate to the location your old PST files are located.

If you go this route, then, after you add your PST files, you can see the result in Outlook on the left-hand side, below the folder listing. You may need to scroll down to see them.

You do have the option of updating the Office 2007 and 2010 Ribbon Menus (but not the UBit Menu Add-In). It takes time, but I am getting used to the Ribbons and now use them more than the original menus.

Randy

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