No + to expand distribution list

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Carolyn - 04 Mar 2007 06:10 GMT

I was trying to help a friend move from Outlook Express to Outlook. But an
odd thing - I set up several distribution lists for her, but wasn't getting
the plus + sign that would let me expand the distribution list. It works
fine on my own PC, so there must be something quirky on hers that I couldn't
find. Is there a configuration setting someplace that would prevent one from
expanding a distribution list? Or any other things I should check for her?

She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
Thanks

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 04 Mar 2007 11:38 GMT

No such setting. How did you create these DL's? If you imported them from OE
they would not appear the same.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

>I was trying to help a friend move from Outlook Express to Outlook. But an
> odd thing - I set up several distribution lists for her, but wasn't
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
> Thanks

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Carolyn - 04 Mar 2007 18:52 GMT

Hm, well my friend actually had about 12 separate Contact folders set up in
Outlook, which was how she'd had them set up in OE. There was nothing at all
in the main Contacts folder.

It's possible those folders were imported from OE to Outlook. Some tech
type she hired was messing around with her PC, decided she needed to be on
Outlook and starting changing things for her. So she doesn't know exactly
how that happened. But it would be logical they were imported.

I copied (simple copy and paste) the addresses from 2 of the separate
folders into the main Contact folder since the DL setup screen seemed to want
to look there. From there I chose Actions, New Distribution List, and
Selected the people I wanted on the DL from the list in the main Contact
folder, which is the same procedure I've used to set up my own DL's.

Would the fact that the addresses were originally (probably) imported from
OE be what's causing the problem? Any solution?

Thanks,

> No such setting. How did you create these DL's? If you imported them from OE
> they would not appear the same.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> > She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
> > Thanks

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 04 Mar 2007 20:01 GMT

Imported data is always problematic. Easiest way to find out is create a new
DL in Outlook with contacts also created in Outlook and see if it behaves as
it should.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> Hm, well my friend actually had about 12 separate Contact folders set up
> in
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>> > She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
>> > Thanks

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Carolyn - 11 Mar 2007 01:51 GMT

Hmm, I don't think this is the answer. I finally got to my friend's house.
I created 2 brand new contacts in Outlook, then created a distribution list
using those contacts. When I sent an email to the new DL, I still didn't get
a plus sign allowing me to expand the DL.

So it can't just be something buggy with how her contacts were originally
imported from OE.

I'm open to more suggestions!

> Imported data is always problematic. Easiest way to find out is create a new
> DL in Outlook with contacts also created in Outlook and see if it behaves as
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> >> > She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
> >> > Thanks

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Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook] - 11 Mar 2007 02:02 GMT

You expand the DL *before* sending, not after. This is where the + sign shows up.

Signature

Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Carolyn asked:

| Hmm, I don't think this is the answer. I finally got to my friend's
| house. I created 2 brand new contacts in Outlook, then created a
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
||||| She's using Outlook 2003 SP2
||||| Thanks

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