OL2000: How to Import Mail and Addresses from Netscape Messenger 4.5 and Later

ID: Q242008

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000

SUMMARY

Although Outlook will detect and silently import information from Netscape Messenger 4.0x if it is installed, or allow the user to manually import this information later, it does not import addresses from Netscape versions 4.5x, 4.6x or 4.7. This article describes how to import mail and addresses from these versions of Netscape Messenger.


MORE INFORMATION

To convert mail and addresses from Netscape Messenger to Outlook, use the converters in Microsoft Outlook Express 5 first, and then convert to Outlook from Outlook Express.

Converting the Address Book

Like Outlook, Outlook Express expects to find a 4.0x version of the Netscape Address Book when doing the conversion. However, Outlook Express can import an Address Book exported from Netscape Messenger in the LDIF format. To export in this format, follow these steps:
  1. In Netscape Communicator, on the Communicator menu, click Address Book.


  2. In Address Book, on the File menu, click Export.


  3. In Export As, type a name for the exported file. In the Save As Type list, click LDIF(*.ldif). Select a destination for the file and then click Save.


  4. Close Netscape Messenger and Communicator.


Importing Mail and Addresses to Outlook Express

Converting from Netscape Messenger to Outlook involves three separate steps.

Address Conversion

To convert Messenger addresses in Outlook Express, follow these steps:
  1. In Outlook Express, on the File menu, click Import, and then click Other Address Book.


  2. In the Address Book Import Tool list, click LDIF - LDAP Date Interchange Format, and then click Import.


  3. The message, "Address Book import process has completed" appears. Click OK.


Mail Conversion

To convert messages in Outlook Express, follow these steps:
  1. In Outlook Express, on the File menu, click Import, and then click Messages.


  2. In the Outlook Express Import Select Program list, click Netscape Communicator. Click Next.


  3. In Location of Messages, click Browse, to navigate to the Mail folder where Messenger stores messages. The typical path is


    4. C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\<User name>\Mail
    where <User name> is the name of the Netscape profile to be imported.

  4. Click the Mail folder to select it, and then click OK. Click Next.


  5. In Select Folders, click to select All Folders, or click Selected Folders, and then click to select the individual folders to import. You can use the CTRL key to select multiple folders. Click Next.


  6. After the mail message conversion completes, click Finish, and then quit Outlook Express.


Converting Mail and Addresses from Outlook Express to Outlook

To convert messages and addresses from Outlook Express, follow these steps:
  1. In Outlook, on the File menu, click Import and Export.


  2. In the Import and Export Wizard, click Import Internet Mail and Addresses. Click Next.


  3. In Select the Internet Mail application to import from, click to select Outlook Express 4.x, 5. Ensure that Import Mail and Import Addresses are selected. Since Outlook Express does not import Netscape Messenger rules, this option can be ignored for the Outlook conversion. Click Next.


  4. In Select a destination for Imported Addresses, click Outlook Contacts Folder and Click Finish.


NOTE: If you are using a Personal Address Book in the Corporate or Workgroup installation of Outlook, you may wish to choose this address book.

In addition, you should select the option regarding duplicate items depending on whether there are currently addresses in the Outlook address provider.

Mail Lists which existed in Messenger are converted to Groups in Outlook Express and then to Personal Distribution Lists in Outlook Contacts.


REFERENCES

The third-party products discussed in this article are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: OL2K

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: January 25, 2000
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