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Question

I can't export Contacts from WLM

Aug 20, 2013 12:10AM PDT

When I open Contacts in Windows Live Mail and click on File / Export the 2 file options, .csv and .vcf, are greyed out so I can't use them. What am I doing wrong?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: exporting from WLM
Aug 20, 2013 12:15AM PDT
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Ribbon
Aug 20, 2013 2:21AM PDT

I assume the "ribbon" is the top line of the Contacts window; the area where you see File, Edit, Delete, E-mail, Print, Contact directories and View. This is where it does not work.

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Re: ribbon
Aug 20, 2013 6:19PM PDT

Did you see the link. Look at the first picture in "Option 2". That shows the ribbon on top. It doesn't show a menu bar (with File and Edit).

The ribbon was introduced in MS Office 2007, and now obviously made it into WLM. Back in 2007 not everyone found it a great change, but by now most people are used to it.

Kees

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Sorry I missed the link about the ribbon
Aug 20, 2013 10:54PM PDT

My WLM looks nothing like the one in the first picture of Option 2. I'm running XP SP3 and I vaguely remember that a later version of WLM was not backward compatible with XP. I'll look again to see if an upgrade is possible.

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See my link below ...
Aug 20, 2013 11:04PM PDT

about the Windows address book. That you're using an antique version seems to be consistent with the fact that it didn't work in 2007.

If my guess in that post is right, it could be that the later version works. Or doesn't work either. That seems more likely somehow. Only trying will tell.

Kees

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Answer
Link, comment
Aug 20, 2013 12:17AM PDT
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Settings and Profiles
Aug 20, 2013 2:30AM PDT

I don't see anywhere to change a "Profile". I went to the Options but there is nothing there to control Contacts.

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Jumping ship and transferring baggage.
Aug 21, 2013 1:46AM PDT

As noted they got around it by installing Thunderbird and the data came over. You don't have to use Thunderbird but now you have your data and can export it again.
Bob

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Answer
You have to click on Contacts first
Aug 20, 2013 12:19AM PDT

Near the lower left of the WLM window, click on Contacts. THEN you can do the export. I could be more detailed, but the user interface differs depending on which version of Windows you have, and you neglected to mention that.
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Good luck.

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Exporting
Aug 20, 2013 2:24AM PDT

That's exactly what I'm trying to do and the file folder selections are greyed out. I'm using XP SP3.

Thanks.

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Works fine for me
Aug 20, 2013 10:34AM PDT

I just tried it under XP. and it works fine for me. Maybe your WLM is corrupt? You do have some contacts I assume.

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Ran a program to fix any corrupt files in Windows Live
Aug 20, 2013 10:50PM PDT

and that didn't fix my problem. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

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Re: export
Aug 20, 2013 11:00PM PDT
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f10/export-windows-live-mail-contacts-173387.html is a comparable story (albeit in Vista) where it didn't work either. But that was an upgrade from Windows Mail (the mail program that came with Vista).
Is yours an upgrade of Outlook Express, maybe?

It might be that only the native WLM contacts can be exported, and not the old Windows address book. That's just a .wab-file somewhere in your profile that you can copy. Or export in another way, as described by http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2005/02/09/export-your-address-book-xp-professionalhome/

As Bob write: not everybody loves WLM and support isn't excellent either. So if I were you I'd consider switching to Thunderbird.

Kees
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Sometimes I've had to uninstall/reinstall WLM
Aug 21, 2013 1:36AM PDT

I haven't had to do it recently, but in the past I've had to uninstall and reinstall WLM on occasion. MS in its wisdom updates WLM on the fly without asking or notifying you, and sometimes it can cause problems. Angry

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Fixed?
Aug 21, 2013 2:51AM PDT

Well, all of a sudden, the Export function now works. I did nothing. Didn't update WLM, still runnning version 14.0.8117.0416.

I think I'm going to try Thunderbird.

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Thunderbird's not a bad option
Aug 21, 2013 3:33AM PDT

Computers do unpredictable things sometimes. I read that the most common problem is operator error, but I believe it's because they're female! Funny though, I can't find any ladies to agree with my assessment. Grin