Anoneh’s Blog

Most Windows users use MS Office and by default use Oulook.  When they use Vista, they are introduced to Windows Mail and Windows Contact. When I began using Vista, I did not install MS Office because I don’t use Windows that much. However, as time goes by, I have no choice but to install MS Office and also Outlook.  At first I presumed that importing my Windows Contacts would be a breeze but to my surprise it wasn’t. I looked under import, and did not see Windows Contacts listed.

I Googled it and many people have this problem as well. Some experts suggested that we export the Windows Contacts to .csv or .vcf and then importing these to MS Outlook. Well it worked but there is a better way. Follow the steps below.

1. File -> Import and Export Settings.

2. Then select ‘Import from another program or file’. Click Next.

3. Scroll down and select ‘Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x or Windows Mail’.

4. A couple of dialog boxes and all your contacts are magically added!

If you use a phone (smartphone is best) and used to sync with your Windows Contacts. You can also populate your Outlook contacts by

1. Sync as per normal to get the latest information out from your Windows Contacts.

2.  Now change your sync from Windows Contacts to Outlook.

3. You will be prompt if you want to replace or merge. Choose merge.

4. Your once empty Outlook contacts is now filled with your Windows Contacts.

Works for my iPhone. Should work for Nokia or any other phones too.You can also do the reverse, ie. populate your Windows Contacts from Outlook using this method.

I recommend that you not use outlook for anything. That .PST Outlook format is useless even if you want to export to Macintosh MS Office. It may import easily but it would not export that easily. For example, if I want to export my contacts to .VCF a standard format, I was unable to unless I buy some software. Windows Contacts on the other hand can export to .VCF readily, using Windows Mail.

I suppose, Microsoft crippled Outlook exporting features to open standards like .VCF and .ICS because they do not want people to use other PIMs except Outlook. If you are using Outlook, I suggest you export your data now and start using software that are compliant to open standards.  It is no surprise that Gmail and Google Calendar is gaining popularity while Microsoft is steadily losing market share.