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MS Office Forum / Outlook / Contacts / January 2006How do I rename user defined field names?
Outlook 2003, Version 11, Build 6359 As I add more fields to my contacts database, I sometimes want to change the name of the field. Currently, I have to make a new field with the new name I want and copy the data from the old field to the new field and delete the old field to accomplish my goal. And that's what you'll have to continue doing. Once you create a custom property, you can't rename it. So, give some thought to the name before you create the field.  SignatureSue 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 > Outlook 2003, Version 11, Build 6359 > As I add more fields to my contacts database, I sometimes want to change the > name of the field. Currently, I have to make a new field with the new name I > want and copy the data from the old field to the new field and delete the old > field to accomplish my goal. Thanks, Sue, for your prompt reply. However, I am not happy with the answer. To the powers that be at Microsoft, I challenge you to make not only user defined fields dynamic and renameable, but also program defalt field names. While you are at it I would also like to be able to change other properties of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self > And that's what you'll have to continue doing. Once you create a custom property, you can't rename it. So, give some thought to the name before you create the field. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > want and copy the data from the old field to the new field and delete the old > > field to accomplish my goal. By the design of MAPI all user defined fields are placed in the named properties section of all item properties. By definition all named properties use the property name and the type of field (Long, Boolean, String8, StringUnicode, Multi-value Binary, etc.) as part of the algorithm that creates the property tag for the user defined field. Changing name or type would create a new property tag that would be completely unrelated to the original tag (other than both being in the named properties namespace). While I sympathize with what you want, it would make things easier and more flexible, it can't happen unless the entire MAPI design for Outlook and Exchange is scrapped and replaced with a completely different design. Forget about backward compatibility in that case. SignatureKen Slovak [MVP - Outlook] http://www.slovaktech.com Author: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm > Thanks, Sue, for your prompt reply. However, I am not happy with the > answer. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self Thank you, Ken, for your prompt response. You and Sue have convinced me, for now, to name my fields more accurately the first time. My Quicken program has me spoiled by allowing me to rename and recatagorize at will. Outlook is a excellent program and I enjoy using it. Is it feasible for the program to be rewritten, for the sake of greater flexibility, and then write a migration program to take care of the backward compatibility issue? > By the design of MAPI all user defined fields are placed in the named > properties section of all item properties. By definition all named [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I > > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self With hundreds of thousands of individual Outlook applications in use by millions of users, that's highly unlikely, especially when there is already a solution to handle individual situations like yours. SignatureSue 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 > Thank you, Ken, for your prompt response. You and Sue have convinced me, for > now, to name my fields more accurately the first time. My Quicken program has [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >> Exchange is scrapped and replaced with a completely different design. Forget >> about backward compatibility in that case. >> > Thanks, Sue, for your prompt reply. However, I am not happy with the >> > answer. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I >> > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self Thanks, Sue! What's the solution? > With hundreds of thousands of individual Outlook applications in use by millions of users, that's highly unlikely, especially when there is already a solution to handle individual situations like yours. > > Thank you, Ken, for your prompt response. You and Sue have convinced me, for [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > >> > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I > >> > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self Write a little code to add the new custom field to the item, copy the data from the old field, the delete the old field, and save the item. SignatureSue 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 > Thanks, Sue! What's the solution? > >> With hundreds of thousands of individual Outlook applications in use by millions of users, that's highly unlikely, especially when there is already a solution to handle individual situations like yours. >> > Thank you, Ken, for your prompt response. You and Sue have convinced me, for >> > now, to name my fields more accurately the first time. My Quicken program has [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> >> > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I >> >> > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self Thanks, Sue! I haven't gotten into writing code. So, I'll just take your original advice for now and get on with life. Thanks again! > Write a little code to add the new custom field to the item, copy the data from the old field, the delete the old field, and save the item. > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > >> >> > of the field as well. I use Microsoft as my only contacts database, but I > >> >> > need more flexibility. Thanks to all who tackle this issue! Wayne Self |
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