Error message when you try to import or to export files in Outlook: "Microsoft Outlook cannot start the required translator"

When you try to import or to export files in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, you receive the following message: Additionally, when you insert the Outlook 2003 CD-ROM or the Office 2003 CD-ROM, you may receive the following error message: When you try to import or to export files in the 2007 Microsoft Office system, you may receive one of the following error messages:

This issue occurs if certain translator files or certain database converters are not available because they were not installed during Setup. Converters in Outlook are installed on demand. Additionally, the local install source folder (Msocache) may be damaged or missing.

This issue also applies to third-party personal information management (PIM) files and to file types that use Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods, as appropriate for the version of Outlook that you are running.

Outlook 2003

Click Yes when you receive the message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article. After you click Yes, Microsoft Windows Installer starts and then installs the database converters and translator files for the file that you want to import or to export.

If this resolution does not resolve the issue, run the Microsoft Office Setup program and install the filters directly. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Exit Outlook 2003.
2. Remove the Msocache folder. For more information about how to remove the Msocache folder, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   825933  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/825933/ ) Local Install Source (Msocache)
3. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
4. Click Add or Remove Programs.
5. In the Currently installed programs list, click Microsoft Office 2003, and then click Change.
6. In the Microsoft Office 2003 Setup dialog box, click Add or Remove Features under the Maintenance Mode Options area, and then click Next.
7. Under the Custom Setup area, click to select the Choose advanced customization of applications check box, and then click Next.
8. Under the Choose update options for applications and tools area, expand Microsoft Office Outlook.
9. Click the down arrow next to Importers and Exporters, and then click either the Run from My Computer option or the Run all from My Computer option.
10. In the Microsoft Office 2003 Setup dialog box, click Update.

Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010

Insert the CD or DVD media when you are prompted. If you installed Outlook from a network share, make sure that the share is accessible from your workstation.

After you provide the setup files, the setup process will complete successfully. Additionally, any missing or corrupted files in the \MSOCache folder will be replaced.

If the same error occurs in the future, delete the \MSOCache folder, and then run the Outlook setup process again. When you run Setup again, make sure that you select the Repair option in the Change your installation window.

PIM formats

The following PIM program data files can be imported to Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) Windows
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) DOS
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) Windows
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) DOS
• ACT! 3.x, ACT! 4.0, and ACT! 2000
• Organizer 4.x and Organizer 5.x
• Personal Address Book

The following PIM program data files can be imported to Outlook 2003:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) Windows
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) DOS
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) Windows
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) DOS
• Schedule + 7.x and Schedule + SC2 ACT! 3.x,
• ACT! 3.x, ACT! 4.0, and ACT! 2000
• Organizer 4.x and Organizer 5.x
• Personal Address Book

The following PIM formats can be exported from Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, and Outlook 2010:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) Windows
• Comma Separated Values (CSV) DOS
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) Windows
• Tab Separated Values (TSV) DOS

Mail Client: Import Mail Account Settings

You can import your mail account settings from the following programs:

• Microsoft Outlook Express 4.x, Microsoft Outlook Express 5.x, and Microsoft Outlook Express 6.x
• Eudora Pro and Light 2.x, Eudora Pro and Light 3.x, Eudora Pro and Light 4.x, and Eudora Pro and Light 5.x
• Microsoft Outlook 97, Microsoft Outlook 98, Microsoft Outlook 2000, and Microsoft Outlook 2002

Note Outlook mail accounts import automatically when you first start the program.

Mail Client: Import Mail and Addresses

You can import your e-mail mail messages and your addresses from the following programs:

• Outlook Express 4.x, Outlook Express 5.x, and Outlook Express 6.x
• Eudora Pro and Light 2.x, Eudora Pro and Light 3.x, Eudora Pro and Light 4.x, and Eudora Pro and Light 5.x
• Outlook 97, Outlook 98, Outlook 2000, and Outlook 2002

Note Outlook e-mail messages and addresses are imported automatically when you first start the program.

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