ID: Q166779
The information in this article applies to:
In Microsoft Outlook 97 if you choose the "Group By Conversation Topic" view, the sort order may change, depending on if you are viewing the folders while offline or online.
You are using a mix of Microsoft Exchange Server, 4.x, with Outlook, 8.01, or Microsoft Exchange Server, 5.0, with Outlook, 8.0.
For consistent results use Outlook 8.01 if your Microsoft Exchange Server is version 5.0. Use Outlook 8.0 if your Microsoft Exchange Server is version 4.x.
The information store controls the sort order of items in the "Group By Conversation Topic" view.
Exchange Server 4.x sorts alphabetically.
Exchange Server 5.0 sorts by date.
The Offline Folders Store (OST) in Outlook 8.0 sorts alphabetically.
The Offline Folders Store (OST) in Outlook 8.01 sorts by date.
If you are using a mix of Exchange 4.x and Outlook 8.01, when you are
online the sort is alphabetical, and when you are offline the sort is by
date.
If you are using a mix of Exchange 5.0 and Outlook 8.0, when you are online the sort is by date and when you are offline the sort is alphabetical.
For more information on differences betwee version 8.0 and 8.01, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Article-ID: Q163743
Title : OL97: Information About Outlook Version 8.01
Keywords : GnlUif
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto
Last Reviewed: June 3, 1998