are you using a new computer? short version: add all the categories on the
old system to one contact then open the contact on the new system and add
them to the master list - easiest way is to copy and paste from the contact
field and paste in the category dialog.
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/categories.htm
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/olcat.asp has info on backing them up and
also some utilities you could use.

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Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
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> Upgraded MS Office 2000 to 2003 How to upgrage my category list also