Export/Import

R

rkdav

I want to export all my Entourage data from my iMac and then import that file
for use on my laptop. I have previously done so one time using the
File>Export menu item, then exporting to an Entourage archive. The next time
I do this, will the laptop Entourage importing the newly created archive file
eliminate duplicates? If not, where does the data reside on the hard drive
(what's the file name or type) so that I can simply throw the old file in the
trash, then import the new one? In anticipation of one response, I would use
Synch Services and then synch via .Mac but doing so destroys my recurrent
tasks so that isn't an acceptable avenue for me. Any other ideas would be
much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
M

Michel Bintener

First of all, quit Entourage and any other Office applications that may be
in use and then disable the Database Daemon (to do so, launch Activity
Monitor, select Database Daemon and quit it using the Quit button in the
toolbar). Then copy the following folder ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data
from your iMac to the same location on your laptop (where you are meant to
have quit any running Office applications as well as the Database Daemon).
The next time you launch Entourage on your laptop, you will have access to
the same data that's on your iMac; you will only need to make sure that both
copies of Entourage are up-to-date and have the same version number to
prevent potential errors when accessing your database.

There is one drawback to this method, as it implies that you use one
computer as your main computer. In other words, you cannot make changes to
your Entourage database on both your iMac and your laptop, as you will end
up with two entirely different databases; instead, transfer the folder from
one Mac to the other and make sure you only work with one machine at the
same time.

For more information on Entourage's database, read the following page:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/index.html>


I want to export all my Entourage data from my iMac and then import that file
for use on my laptop. I have previously done so one time using the
File>Export menu item, then exporting to an Entourage archive. The next time
I do this, will the laptop Entourage importing the newly created archive file
eliminate duplicates? If not, where does the data reside on the hard drive
(what's the file name or type) so that I can simply throw the old file in the
trash, then import the new one? In anticipation of one response, I would use
Synch Services and then synch via .Mac but doing so destroys my recurrent
tasks so that isn't an acceptable avenue for me. Any other ideas would be
much appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***
 
D

Diane Ross

There is one drawback to this method, as it implies that you use one
computer as your main computer. In other words, you cannot make changes to
your Entourage database on both your iMac and your laptop, as you will end
up with two entirely different databases; instead, transfer the folder from
one Mac to the other and make sure you only work with one machine at the
same time.
Click to expand...

The best method is to use an IMAP account. This way your mail is synced
correctly and easily.

Simply put, a POP account downloads all new mail from the server to the
user's computer. In an IMAP account, everything is kept on the server. This
is especially useful if you use several computers and/or travel.
 
R

rkdav

Michel Bintener said:
First of all, quit Entourage and any other Office applications that may be
in use and then disable the Database Daemon (to do so, launch Activity
Monitor, select Database Daemon and quit it using the Quit button in the
toolbar). Then copy the following folder ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data
from your iMac to the same location on your laptop (where you are meant to
have quit any running Office applications as well as the Database Daemon).
The next time you launch Entourage on your laptop, you will have access to
the same data that's on your iMac; you will only need to make sure that both
copies of Entourage are up-to-date and have the same version number to
prevent potential errors when accessing your database.

There is one drawback to this method, as it implies that you use one
computer as your main computer. In other words, you cannot make changes to
your Entourage database on both your iMac and your laptop, as you will end
up with two entirely different databases; instead, transfer the folder from
one Mac to the other and make sure you only work with one machine at the
same time.

For more information on Entourage's database, read the following page:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/index.html>




--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***
Click to expand...

Thanks very much, Michel. This was exactly what I was seeking.
Best,
Rick
 
R

rkdav

Michel Bintener said:
First of all, quit Entourage and any other Office applications that may be
in use and then disable the Database Daemon (to do so, launch Activity
Monitor, select Database Daemon and quit it using the Quit button in the
toolbar). Then copy the following folder ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data
from your iMac to the same location on your laptop (where you are meant to
have quit any running Office applications as well as the Database Daemon).
The next time you launch Entourage on your laptop, you will have access to
the same data that's on your iMac; you will only need to make sure that both
copies of Entourage are up-to-date and have the same version number to
prevent potential errors when accessing your database.

There is one drawback to this method, as it implies that you use one
computer as your main computer. In other words, you cannot make changes to
your Entourage database on both your iMac and your laptop, as you will end
up with two entirely different databases; instead, transfer the folder from
one Mac to the other and make sure you only work with one machine at the
same time.

For more information on Entourage's database, read the following page:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/index.html>




--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I followed your instructions. Now, when
opening Entourage on the laptop I get the following: "Entourage cannot
access your data. To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database." I
go then to the Database Utility, click Rebuild Database, click Continue and
get the following: "An error occurred while attempting to rebuild your
database. An unknown error (-5000) occurred." I click Done, then Quit and
Entourage quits completely without ever launching. What now?
Best,
R.
 
M

Michel Bintener

First of all, follow the instructions listed on the Entourage Help Page:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/error/page.html#error-5000>

If that doesn't solve the problem, then there seems to be a problem with
your database which the Database Utility can't fix. In that case, launch
Entourage on your iMac and export everything as an archive (File>Export).
Click on Entourage>Switch Identities and create a new identity which you
will need to open subsequently. Once you're in your new identity, import the
archive, then quit Entourage. Launch it again while holding down the Option
(Alt) key to launch Database Utility, then run a check on your new identity.
If the utility doesn't report any issues with it, copy only this identity
from ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2004 Identities to the same
location on your laptop. See if you can access that identity now; if you
can, get rid of the old identity and keep using the newer one.

Make sure you only try this once you've verified your permissions are okay
for the Microsoft User Data folder and all subfolders it contains. To do
that, select it in the Finder, then hit Cmd+i to bring up the Info panel.
Expand the Sharing and Permissions panel, make sure you have the right to
read and write to that folder and apply the same permissions to the
subfolders as well. I can't give you any detailed instructions as I'm
running Leopard (I don't know/remember which version you are running), and
this panel has changed slightly in this new version.

Hope this helps!
Michel


Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I followed your instructions. Now, when
opening Entourage on the laptop I get the following: "Entourage cannot
access your data. To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database." I
go then to the Database Utility, click Rebuild Database, click Continue and
get the following: "An error occurred while attempting to rebuild your
database. An unknown error (-5000) occurred." I click Done, then Quit and
Entourage quits completely without ever launching. What now?
Best,
R.
Click to expand...

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***
 
R

rkdav

Thanks, Michel. Here's what worked. The Preferences are key. I had the
Preferences set for sharing on the iMac so that (obviously) I had Read and
Write authority but others on the network were Read Only. When I moved the
Microsoft User Data file from the iMac to the laptop, I did not realize that
the file did not change these permissions just because I moved it to another
computer I owned and so did not think to make a change. The Error -5000 was
caused by the fact that Entourage on the laptop could not write to the
database, I guess. This was fixed by selecting Command-i (Get Info) for the
Microsoft User Data file, on the laptop changing the permission to Read and
Write on the laptop, clicking the button below that that makes that change in
all files inside the Microsoft User Data file, then closing the Get Info
window. As soon as I did that, Entourage opened normally and all the data I
had moved was right there.

Thanks again.
 
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