OL2000: How to Clear the Outlook Forms Cache

This article describes how to clear the Microsoft Outlook forms cache.

IMPORTANT: You should only clear the forms cache as a last resort. Before you clear the forms cache, verify that the forms cache file is most likely corrupt or damaged. For additional information about what you should consider before you clear the forms cache, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Clearing the forms cache is useful in the following situations:

1. If the following error message occurs when you open an item:
   Cannot create the item.
2. If your forms suddenly do not work properly.
3. If you receive a message about a problem with your Frmcache.dat file.
4. If the following error message occurs when you open an item or when you click a Mailto link:
   The object could not be found.
5. If you receive the following error message:
   Can't open this item. Could not open the item. Try again.

Method 1: Use the Clear Cache Button

If you are using Microsoft Outlook 2000 SR-1/SR-1a and you have Outlook 2000 configured in the Corporate/Workgroup (CW) mode, you can use the Clear Cache button to reset the Outlook forms cache. To verify the SR-1/SR-1a version of Outlook 2000 that you have installed and if it is configured in CW mode, click the Help menu, and then click About Microsoft Outlook.

If you do not have Outlook 2000 SR-1/SR-1a installed, you can obtain service releases and service packs from the following Microsoft Web site: For additional information about Outlook modes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Use the following steps to use the Clear Cache button:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Other tab.
2. Click Advanced Options.
3. In the Advanced Options box, click Custom Forms.
4. In the Custom Forms box, click Manage Forms.
5. In the Forms Manager box, click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Delete the Forms Cache Files

If you do not have Outlook 2000 SR-1/SR-1a installed, or if you are using Outlook in the Internet Mail Only (IMO) mode, you can delete the forms cache file manually. The forms cache is stored in a folder called Forms. The Forms folder may be located in one of many locations depending on the operating system that you are using and how you have the operating system configured.

The Frmcache.dat file is the primary file to delete. The Frmcache.dat file serves as an index of the individual forms that have been cached on the computer. Use the following steps to manually delete the Frmcache.dat file. In addition, these steps delete all of the cached forms on your computer, which are stored in subfolders of the Forms folder.

1. Quit Outlook 2000.
2. Click the Microsoft Windows Search or File command to locate the Frmcache.dat file on your hard disk. If you are not familiar with this procedure, please consult your Microsoft Windows documentation, as the procedure varies depending on the version of Windows that you are using.
3. Click to select the Frmcache.dat file.
4. On the File menu, click Open Containing Folder to open the Forms folder in a separate window.
5. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
6. On the File menu, click Delete.

When you restart Outlook 2000, and use a custom form, the forms cache is re-created. Until a custom form is used, Outlook 2000 does not re-create the Frmcache.dat file.

For additional information about the forms cache, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: