OL97: Outlook Does Not Expand Public Folder Tree Properly

ID: Q182570

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

While using Microsoft Outlook 97 in an enterprise environment with multiple Microsoft Exchange Servers at separate sites, you notice that you cannot expand Public Folders beyond a folder that is not replicated. Specifically you receive the following error message:

   This folder is unavailable...Contents have not been replicated.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 98.

MORE INFORMATION

The viewing of replicated Public Folders is handled differently in Outlook than in the Microsoft Exchange client.

The following example assumes one Microsoft Exchange Server at sites A and B. The Public Folder labeled "Site A Folder" is not replicated to other sites, whereas the Public Folder labeled "Shared" is replicated to all sites.

+All Public Folders

 +Site A Folder (Not replicated.)

  +Shared (Replicated to all sites)

In the Microsoft Exchange Client, if you are at Site B and click the + for the Site A Folder, the tree is expanded. You can then view the Shared folder and its contents.

If you are using Outlook at Site B and you click the + for the Site A Folder, you will receive the error referenced in the Symptoms section above. As a site B user, you are blocked from viewing the Shared folder and any subordinated folders.

Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbnofix

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999