How to remove duplicate imported items in Outlook 2002 and in Outlook 203 (299349)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q299349
For a Microsoft Outlook 2000 version of this article, see 242943.
For a Microsoft Outlook 98 version of this article, see 230565.

SUMMARY

When you import items into Microsoft Outlook and you add the contact as a duplicate, or if duplicate detection is turned off, there is not an option to remove duplicate items after you import. This article explains one method to delete duplicate items after you complete the import process.

MORE INFORMATION

How to Delete Duplicate Items

Use the following steps to duplicate items:
  1. On the View menu, point to Current View, and then click to change the folder view to a table type view. In Outlook 2003, point to Arrange By on the View menu, point to Current View, and then click to change the folder view to a table type view.

    For example, use the following view and field combinations:
    ViewField
    CalendarActive Appointments
    ContactsPhone List
    InboxMessages
    JournalEntry List
    NotesNotes List
  2. Right-click a column heading, and then click Field Chooser.
  3. From the list at the top of the Field Chooser, click to select the All <item name> fields.
  4. Drag the Modified field to the table heading.
  5. Verify that the duplicate items have a unique date from the original set of items. If it is unique, click the Modified heading so that the items are sorted by this field.
  6. Click the first item in the set that you want to delete, scroll to the last item in the set that you want to delete, and then click the last item while you hold down the SHIFT key.
  7. Press DELETE to permanently delete all selected items.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/31/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB299349
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.