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-- Lost notes and custom fields in Outlook! Help! (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=2538)

I recently got Microsoft Office 2000 and decided to use Outlook as my contacts and calendar program. No problem with the calendar at all. At first, no problem with the contacts, either. I set up several custom fields ("Hours [of business]", "directions," etc.) When I was simply syncing my home PC with my Visor (using the USB cradle), I had no problem. The custom fields showed up in my Visor.

Then I loaded Outlook 2000 on my computer at work (scary music starts here). I have no problem syncing (using the serial cradle) with the computer at work -- but my custom fields have disappeared!

Aaargh! I now don't have important information in my Visor. What did I do wrong? How can I fix it?

BTW, I promptly set both Hot Sync Managers do "do nothing" with contacts until I figure this out. The custom fields are still in my home PC and I don't want to lose them altogether!

I hope someone in this wonderful, helpful, smart group can give me some aid!

Sheryl,

On home PC:
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I'm assuming that your home PC has Outlook and that the custom fields are still there. You could start by doing a one-time "Outlook Overwrites Handheld" on Outlook Contacts conduit on your home PC to get the all Visor contact info correct.

On work PC:
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Read CUSTOM.TXT which is probably in your c:\program files\Palm\Chapura\PocketMirror directory. Copy this file into your c:\program files\Palm\"userid"\address directory. Edit CUSTOM.TXT in this "address" directory. You will want an "X" in front of "Overwrite Outlook with Handheld data".
The four fields at the bottom will need to match the custom fields that you will have created in Outlook -- they will also have to be followed by UDF (as per description in CUSTOM.TXT) if they are all custom fields. Do a one-time sync with "Handheld Overwrites Outlook".

If you have any questions, send me an e-mail at [email protected]

Hallelujah! It works! Phew! Now I have my info back in my Visor! One little detail, in case someone else is following this; when you list the new names of the fields in the custom.txt file, you need to put quotation marks around the name -- but not around UDF. So a name reads like this:
"Directions" UDF
Once I figured this out, it was a piece of cake. I knew someone on this board would know and would help -- and I am reinforced in my belief! Thank you.

BTW, your post led me to some exploring and I discovered a topic in the PocketMirror online help entitled "Custom Field Mapping" which contained all the info you gave me plus a lot more (most of which I didn't need, but it's nice to know nonetheless).

I will sleep better tonight, knowing this nagging problem is solved. Thank you again!

Sheryl,

You've very welcome. Glad to help.