Problem with Notes Field

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Bogey1947 - 25 Oct 2005 17:33 GMT

When importing from Excel (CSV file), if I map any data field, from the .csv
file to the Contact's "Notes" field, Outlook stores the Contact "record" in a
.txt format and we know that the txt format does not support formatting.

If I leave the "Notes" field blank, Outlook stores the Contact record in a
.rtf format and rtf supports "Office" capabilities, e.g. formatting,
attachments, etc.

I have to save, update, highlight and attach files to my Contacts and the
Notes field is the only place I have. Now the questions becomes how can I do
that?? Any ideas? Can I control the format Outlook store contact in? How?
I have over 2000 records!!!

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Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook] - 25 Oct 2005 19:08 GMT

What do you mean by "stores the record in a .txt format"? Outlook doesn't use .txt files to store its data.

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Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.turtleflock.com/olconfig/index.htm
and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx

> When importing from Excel (CSV file), if I map any data field, from the .csv
> file to the Contact's "Notes" field, Outlook stores the Contact "record" in a
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> that?? Any ideas? Can I control the format Outlook store contact in? How?
> I have over 2000 records!!!

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Bogey1947 - 25 Oct 2005 22:28 GMT

I have determined that the notes field is designated as either a TXT field or
a RTF field and therefore the entire record is treated as such. The way I
determined this is to open any contact imported w/o data in the notes field
and then select "File / Save As...". You will be offered to save the record
as a .rtf record as the default. You can select .txt format among other
Office formats. Now open a contact imported WITH data in the "Notes" field
and try to save it. You will be offered to save as a .txt format and other
Office formats; HOWEVER, NO Option to save as a RTF record.

The difference is that RTF records CAN be formated and attached to while TXT
records cannot!! So I need to understand how I can control that and set the
formnat to RTF for ALL records/contacts.

Thanks

> What do you mean by "stores the record in a .txt format"? Outlook doesn't use .txt files to store its data.
> > When importing from Excel (CSV file), if I map any data field, from the .csv
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> > that?? Any ideas? Can I control the format Outlook store contact in? How?
> > I have over 2000 records!!!

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