OL97: Unable to Import TSV or CSV File into Outlook

ID: Q176002

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

When you import a tab-delimited (TSV) or comma-delimited (CSV) text file into Microsoft Outlook 97, you may not see the individual fields listed for mapping in the Map Custom Fields dialog box. Instead, all fields are in a row, separated by small box characters.

RESOLUTION

Open the TSV or CSV file in Microsoft Excel and step through the text import wizard. Save the file from Excel in TSV format and use that file for importing into Outlook.

MORE INFORMATION

Opening the TSV or CSV File in Excel

1. On the Excel File menu, click Open.

2. Click to select the TSV or CSV file.

3. If the file is comma-delimited, click Next and then continue with

   step 4. If the file is tab-delimited, click Finish and then refer to
   the "To Save the File From Excel in TSV Format" section later in this
   article.

4. In the Delimiters area, click to select Comma and click to clear

   any other selected delimiters, then click Next and Finish.

RESULTS: Excel opens the file, placing each field in a separate column.

To Save the File in TSV Format

1. On the Excel File menu, click Save As.

2. In the Save as type list, click to select,

   "Text (Tab Delimited)(*.Txt)" and then click Save.

3. Quit Excel.

RESULTS: Excel saves the file as a tab-delimited text file.

Importing the TSV File into Outlook

1. On the Outlook File menu, click to select Import and Export.

2. In the "Choose an action to perform" list, click to select "Import from

   Schedule+ or another program or file" and then click Next.

3. In the "Select file type to import from" list, click to select "Tab

   Separated Values (windows)" and then click Next.

4. In the File To Import box, type the path and name or browse to the file

   to be imported (saved from Excel earlier), and then click Next.

5. Click to select the folder you want to import the records into

   and then click Next.

6. Click to select, Import "<FILENAME>.TXT" into the "<Folder name>"

   folder.

The Map Custom Fields dialog box opens, and each field in the import record is listed for selection and mapping to the target Outlook field.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : IntpOff IntpImEx 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999