How to import messages and addresses from Netscape Messenger 4.5 or later to Outlook 2000

Microsoft Outlook detects and silently imports information from Netscape Messenger 4.0x if it is installed, or you can manually import this information at a later time. Outlook does not import addresses from Netscape Messenger versions 4.5x, 4.6x or 4.7. This article describes how to import messages and addresses from these versions of Netscape Messenger.

To convert messages and addresses from Netscape Messenger to Outlook, use the converters in Microsoft Outlook Express 5 and then convert to Outlook from Outlook Express. Use the information in the following section to do this.

How to Convert the Address Book

Outlook Express expects to find a 4.0x version of the Netscape Address Book when doing the conversion. However, Outlook Express can import an Address Book exported from Netscape Messenger in the LDIF format. To do this:

1. In Netscape Communicator, on the Communicator menu, click Address Book.
2. In Address Book, click Export on the File menu.
3. In Export As, type a name for the exported file.
4. In the Save As Type box, click LDIF(*.ldif). Select a destination for the file, and then click Save.
5. Close Netscape Messenger and Communicator.

How to Import Messages and Addresses to Outlook Express

Use the following methods to convert from Netscape Messenger to Outlook.

Address Conversion

1. In Outlook Express, on the File menu, click Import, and then click Other Address Book.
2. In the Address Book Import Tool box, click LDIF - LDAP Date Interchange Format, and then click Import.
3. Click OK when you receive the Address Book import process has completed prompt.

Mail Conversion

Use one of the following methods to convert messages in Outlook Express.

Method 1

1. On the File menu, click Import and Export.
2. On the Choose an action to perform box, click Internet Mail and Addresses, and then click Next.
3. In the Select the Internet Mail program to import from box, click Netscape Messenger 4.0x, click Import Mail, and then click Next. The following message appears:
   Found no registry entry for Netscape Messenger 4.0x. Please select the mail folder for this application
4. Locate the Netscape folder. The following is the default path
   C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\<profilename>
   where <profilename> is the profile that you created when you configured Netscape.
   
   
5. Click the folder that corresponds to the profile name, and then click OK.

Messages are imported to the Outlook message store.

Method 2

1. In Outlook Express, on the File menu, click Import, and then click Messages.
2. In the Outlook Express Import Select Program box, click Netscape Communicator, and then click Next.
3. In Location of Messages, click Browse, to navigate to the Mail folder where Messenger stores messages. The following is the typical path
   C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\<User name>\Mail
   where <User name> is the name of the Netscape profile to be imported.
   
   
4. Click the Mail folder, click OK, and then click Next.
5. In Select Folders, click to select All Folders, or click Selected Folders, and then click the individual folders to import. You can use the CTRL key to select multiple folders. Click Next.
6. After the message conversion is completed, click Finish, and then quit Outlook Express.

How to Convert Messages and Addresses from Outlook Express to Outlook

1. In Outlook, on the File menu, click Import and Export.
2. In the Import and Export Wizard, click Import Internet Mail and Addresses, and then click Next.
3. In Select the Internet Mail application to import from, click to select Outlook Express 4.x, 5. Verify that Import Mail and Import Addresses are selected. Because Outlook Express does not import Netscape Messenger rules, this option can be ignored for the Outlook conversion. Click Next.
4. In Select a destination for Imported Addresses, click Outlook Contacts Folder, and then click Finish.

NOTE: If you are using a Personal Address Book (PAB) in the Corporate or Workgroup (CW) installation of Outlook, you may want to select this address book.

In addition, you should select the option regarding duplicate items if they are currently addressed in the Outlook address provider.

Mail Lists, which existed in Messenger, are converted to Groups in Outlook Express and to personal distribution lists in Outlook Contacts.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.