Outlook should have sub-categories

[Erik Poels]

It would be very usefull when you could divide your tasks and contacts, not
only in categories, but also in sub-categories.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

It would be very usefull when you could divide your tasks and
contacts, not only in categories, but also in sub-categories.

Agreed, but you can't.

 

[GordonRD]

You can jury-rig the process to accomplish the same goal.
I start all of my personal categories with an "*" to distinguish them from
the ones that come with Outlook.
I separate each level of category with a "|".
The only problem that arises is when the "add/delete category" window is too
narrow to see the final sub-category -- then you have to count down from a
fully-visible category in the selection window to position yourself properly
in the list and avoid deleting the wrong sub-category.
When selecting an Outlook item by category, always enclose the full category
& sub-category with quotes, or the search will use only the characters up to
the first "|".
Example category & sub-category: *Financial|Bills|Paid
**********
:
Agreed, but you can't.
**********
Erik Poels wrote:
It would be very usefull when you could divide your tasks and
contacts, not only in categories, but also in sub-categories.

 

[The Blue Max]

In Outlook 2007 there is a way to simulate subcategories. Simply create
certain categories that you deem to be major categories (might want the
prefix them to keep them all together) and then create subcategories (which
you could also prefix if desired, but may not want to if used with many major
categories). Now assign items with both a major and minor category, or with
almost any combination of major and minor categories as desired. Now use the
advanced 'Search' feature and designate the exact combination of major
categories and minor categories that you want to view.

This approach can be very useful, but under certain conditions a rigid
hierarchy of categories and subcategories would be more useful. Perhaps,
Microsoft will add the ability to LINK and UNLINK categories one day so that
the user can customize the category pool into either a rigid hierarchy, a
loose set of keywords (current method), or a combination of both.

 

[KB9TSF]

It would be very usefull when you could divide your tasks and contacts, not
only in categories, but also in sub-categories.

 

[KB9TSF]

Yes it would.
I tried this myself using a ":" between the categories (similar to the other
person's workaround) but found Outlook does not recognize the differences in
text after the ":".
We are left to workaround Microsoft until they listen.
KB9TSF