Outlook export csv contacts screws up email addresses (why?)

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Amanda Chen - 22 Dec 2005 15:54 GMT

There must be a way to prevent Outlook from screwing up email addresses
upon import and subsequent export of a csv file into and out of the
contacts? But how?

Here's what happens consistently with Outlook 2003 on Windows XP.

I import this two-line csv test file into my Outlook contacts. Note this
test file contains an email address which is not in my company Exchange
server (apparently).

LASTNAME,FIRSTNAME,PHONE,EMAIL
Bar,Foo,123-456-7890,foo@bar.com

When I export these contacts, the result is a different format:
"LASTNAME","FIRSTNAME","PHONE","EMAIL"
"Bar","Foo","(123) 456-7890","foo@bar.com SMTP Foo Bar (foo@bar.com)"

Notice (among other unnecessary changes), the totally useless crap added
to the email address. How do I get just the email address that was
imported to be exported properly?

Worse yet, I then import a test csv containing email addresses of people
who work for my company. Now the exported csv contains horrid
undecipherable text.

Given the same input test file as above, only this time the email
address is that of a company employee, the output csv email address is
very much screwed up.

"LASTNAME","FIRSTNAME","PHONE","EMAIL"
"Bar","Foo","(123) 456-7890","/o=BAR/ou=Mailbox
Servers/cn=Recipients/cn=bar EX Foo Bar (foo@bar.com)"

I must be doing something wrong in my Outlook export to warrant this
kind of punishment. Here is how I exported the csv file that I imported.

a. Select "Contacts" in the "Outlook Shortcuts" window
b. Press <Control + A> to select all contacts
c. File > Import & Export > Export to a File > Next >
d. Comma separated Values (DOS) > Next > Contacts > Next >
e. filename.csv > Map Custom Fields > OK > Finish

The major problem is that those personal emails that coincide with those
on the Outlook exchange mailbox of my company seem to be very much
screwed up in the output csv file.

There must be a way to set Outlook to not screw up the email addresses?
Do you know what key setup step I am missing?

Thank you in advance for your kind understanding,
Amanda Chen

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Ken Sax - 24 Dec 2005 09:15 GMT

> There must be a way to prevent Outlook from screwing up email addresses
> upon import and subsequent export of a csv file into and out of the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> "Bar","Foo","(123) 456-7890","/o=BAR/ou=Mailbox
> Servers/cn=Recipients/cn=bar EX Foo Bar (foo@bar.com)"

http://kb.palmone.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=PalmSupportKB,ts=Palm_Exter
nal2001,Case=obj(30185)

Palm One Support Knowledge Library Solution ID: 30185
Email addresses show up as names, not email addresses, on the device

When you synchronize with Microsoft Outlook, you might find that email
addresses are showing up on your handheld as just names, or in a format
like this:
/0=SERVERNAME/ou=SERVERNAME/
cn=Recipients/cn=JohnSmith

This is because PocketMirror (the software that lets you synchronize with
Outlook) is storing the X400 version of the email addresses on your
handheld, rather than the full SMTP address. (Don't know what X400 and SMTP
mean? Don't worry. Just read on, and follow the steps below)

Here's how to remedy the issue:

1. Install the latest update of Chapura PocketMirror
2. Launch Microsoft Outlook on your desktop.
3. From the Tools menu, select Services.
4. Click on the tab for Addressing.
5. You will see a box below the phrase "When sending mail, check names
using these address lists in order:" Make sure the Global Address List is
the first item in this list.
6. If you already have a large number of email addresses that show up as
just names instead of full email addresses, you may want to take this extra
step (optional):
a. Change the conduit setting for Outlook Contacts to "Desktop overwrites
handheld." (how to change conduit settings)
b. Perform a HotSync operation. This will get the SMTP (full email) version
of the emails onto your handheld.
c. Change the conduit setting for Outlook Contacts back to what it was
before you changed it.

You may find that you need to reassign the email addresses in Outlook again
to your saved Contacts. Most users say that it is worth the effort.

Chapura provides excellent online support. Go to the
http://www.chapura.com/support Chapura Support area and search for FAQ
#PM184 and FAQ #PM222. Chapura develops the PocketMirror software that lets
you synchronize with Outlook, and they are the experts on this product.

Article ID: 30185 Category(s): Troubleshooting
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