OL98: (CW) Client Side Rules Do Not Work When Working Offline (203304)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 98
This article was previously published under Q203304
NOTE: The procedures in this article only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate or Workgroup option. With this option, you can use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, click About Microsoft Outlook on the Help menu. If you have the Corporate or Workgroup installation, you see "Corporate or Workgroup".

SYMPTOMS

When Microsoft Exchange Server and Internet E-mail are both in your mail profile, client-side rules do not process when working offline. You are also unable to create or modify rules while working offline.

CAUSE

The rules are stored on the Exchange Server in a hidden folder and are not accessible unless you are connected to the Exchange Server.

RESOLUTION

Create separate mail profiles for Exchange Server and Internet E-mail.

MORE INFORMATION

Rules only work on incoming mail messages. When Exchange Server services are included in your mail profile, all rules are stored in a hidden folder on the Exchange Server. When you choose to work offline the rules are not available and will not process.

To have rules work for your Internet E-mail service you will need to create separate mail profiles for the Internet E-mail and Exchange server services. This will create a local "Rules Wizard" (.rwz) file for the Internet E-mail profile.

Once you have created the separate mail profiles, set Outlook to prompt you for a profile to be used when starting. Use the following steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. On the Mail Services tab, click to select Prompt for profile to be used.
  3. Click OK. Outlook will now prompt you for a profile to use when starting.

REFERENCES

For additional information about how to create a new mail profile, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

195795 Troubleshooting Outlook Configuration Problems

For more information about using rules, click Microsoft Outlook Help on the Help menu, type Tell me about rules in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/16/1999
Keywords:kbprb KB203304
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