Backup Windows Address Book Entries
By Kuay Tim
One way to export address book entries is to export as a CSV file. See the following Microsoft KB article for more information:
A comma-separated values file is a formatted text file that
contains information from the address book. The entries are separated by (yes,
you guessed it) commas. From the File menu in Outlook Express click on Export, choose Address Book. Select
Comma-Separated Values. On the next screen do not enter a name, but choose Browse, which will open a normal Save window. Give the file a name such as Address Entries
(file type .csv) and save to the folder of your
choice or to the desktop.
The CSV file can be moved to another PC and used to Import the entries.
It can also be opened in Notepad for review or to print a hard copy. The CSV
file can also be opened in MS Excel for editing.
There is a workaround alternative that can be used in some instances when the export option is not available.
How to create your own CSV File from an addressed message
Other Export options from the address book File menu include Address Book (WAB) and a single (selected entry) Business Card vCard (.vcf).
An interesting way to save WAB entries is to select entries in the
address book, copy, and then paste into WordPad,
or directly into a (Windows) folder. In WordPad this will result in icons for the entries in the form of a
business card
(vCard or .vcf file) in a WordPad
document. When the entries are pasted into a Windows folder the result will be vCard,
or .vcf files in the folder. Double-clicking on an icon (in WordPad), or .vcf file in a Windows
folder will open the address book entry. The option to add to the address book
is given. These icons in WordPad can
be selected and copied to a folder and result in a .vcf file entry, or entries
– the same as being pasted directly from the Windows Address Book.
You can also select one, some or all of a group’s addresses, and then copy and paste into a Windows folder. This will result in vCard (.vcf) files which can be copied and pasted into a WAB address book folder or Outlook Contacts. Entries can also be pasted directly into another address book folder.
The address book entries can also be pasted into a WordPad document. This will result in embedded vCard files
that can be opened (individually) or copied and pasted (into an address book or
Windows folder). The vCard files can
also be pasted into Outlook Contacts, but the reverse is not quite this simple.
Note for Selection of Entries in the Address Book
For contiguous entries click an entry and then use the Shift key to select all in between.
Use the Ctrl key to make more than one selection when the entries are not connected.
Tip: When pasting multiple vCard files into the address book hold down the Enter key to OK all as they are entered.
Two Illustrative Exercises for
Rebuilding an Address Book
using VCF Files
Moving address book entries
to a Windows folder
Create a new folder in My Documents or the
Desktop. Leave this folder open.
Then, highlight the entries in an address book sub-folder.
How? Either use the Edit
menu...Select All or click on the top entry, move
to the bottom entry and Shift+click to select all.
With the cursor on the highlighted entries, right-click...then choose Copy.
In a new folder (can be named for the group folder) place the cursor in the
folder, right-click Paste.
Each address book entry will now be a VCF file. These files can be opened,
but not edited outside the address book.
How to move the VCF files into the address book.
To rebuild the address book have the Main Contacts folder
empty until the other folders are complete.
1. In the Windows folder holding the VCF files select all the files.
2. Right-click among the selected files and choose Copy.
3. Open the address book being rebuilt.
4. In the Main Contacts folder right-click and choose Paste.
Note: When adding multiple address book entries hold down
the enter key
until all the entries have been added.
5. Create a new folder for the entries.
6. In the Main
Contacts folder highlight all the entries and drag them to
the new folders icon and drop (release mouse button) to move them.
Repeat for other folder entries as needed.
Helpful Link
OLEXP: Command-Line Switches for Windows Address Book (Wab.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;217125&Product=oex
Create
a Comma-Separated Values File (Workaround)
First add all the addresses on the To:
line of a new message.
1. Highlight and
(right-click) copy all the addresses.
2. Paste the entries
into a new Notepad document.
3. Edit the entries
in the following format:
<Raw Paste>
Tim Kauppila aka Kuay Tim <kuaytim@myxisp.net>
Edited Copy (Note: Name=Display Name and can be added if not
included)
If no display name is used add a comma after the last name.
Put each entry on its own line.
Sample
Comma-Separated Values File with Four Fields
(Note: Include the first line with the field information)
(Start)
First Name,Last
Name,Name,E-mail Address
Tim,Kauppila,aka
Kuay Tim,kuaytim@myxisp.net
Tim,Kauppila,,kuaytim@myxisp.net
(End)
When ready to save the file add the
extension ".csv" <no quotes> to the
name. The file name would be something along the lines of “Address List.csv” or “Group B.csv.”
Import as "other address book" -- comma-separated values.
January 1, 2005