HowTo: Sync Contacts from Outlook to Playbook

Warning: I am just sharing the painless way I accomplished this task. It may not work for you as it totally depends on your email provider if this is going to work or not.

I use Outlook and pop3 email accounts provided by my ISP. First thing you need to do is log on to the webmail server usually provided on the hosts website. Look around for something that says "Import/Export", mine was found under the "Preferences" section. I had the option of importing .csv files from outlook for contacts and calendar. If you can't find it, or they don't provide that feature then unfortunately your journey ends here.

//edit It appears google also has the Import/Export feature! So you should be able to use your gmail account to accomplish this.

Next, go into Outlook and select the "Contacts" tab at the bottom left. Next go to File --> Import and Export --> Export to a File --> Comma Separated Values (DOS) --> Select "Contacts" in the folder tree --> Choose a location and SAVE.

Back in my webmail in the import/export section, I just browsed for that .csv file outlook created, uploaded...and boom. All my contacts on the playbook. Of course the email account you are choosing to upload the .csv file to must be registered with the playbook. The calendar can be sent to the playbook the same way. No need for any google software or giving a 3rd party program access to your gmail account.

Again I realize this might not work for everyone but if it helps a few people then I'm glad :)

I still don't know how my contacts migrated (sync-ed, copied, magically appeared) to the new native contact app. They were not there as I tried looking for a switch or button or setting. I then setup two of my (too many) email accounts. Then checked some threads on the subject. Next I went looking again and my contacts were there.

The calendar was a different matters - I did a google sync (so now they know even more about me) with Outlook and then the gmail account fixed up my Calendar.

Thanks, but couldn't find any import/export options. gave up.

Sorry, but importing isn't the same as syncing. Wish it was. Sigh ...

- R.

meh, you can call it whatever you want. Point is RIM is ******** for making us jump through hoops to accomplish this, and this method I found took the least about of time and was super easy.

Problem with calendar is it doesn't support recurring items - very irritating indeed.

So for 10 mins (2?) all are at the same point in time. Change something on the PB - Contact or appointmnet. How do you get it back to Outlook & BB ? I think I'm going to have to stick with Bridged apps. Native isn't going to work - or am I missing something?
Chris

My work email is just a POP3 account and I have a Gmail account as well. I setup both on my PlayBook for email and I'm syncing my contacts and calendar with Gmail.

For calendar I installed the Gmail calendar sync app. I went into the Gmail calendar and deleted all entries so that I started with a clean calendar. After installing the sync app I first did a 1-way sync from Outlook to Gmail. Once that was done I changed the sync to 2-way. I also turned off the PUSH setting for the Gmail account on the PlayBook and set the sync interval to 15 minutes. Once I did this my calendar showed up.

As far as my contacts all I do now is export them from Outlook and go into with Gmail or Google Voice and first delete all the contacts then import the new file. I've been doing this for awhile so it's pretty simple and keeps both my Outlook and Gmail up to date.

There's another option to sync contacts that can be found here. I have not tried the CNET app yet but plan to.

I migrated everything to Gmail, then deleted calender and contact info off phone, set Gmail as default, now everything syncs properly across BB and PB.

Originally Posted by Chris Bishop

So for 10 mins (2?) all are at the same point in time. Change something on the PB - Contact or appointmnet. How do you get it back to Outlook & BB ? I think I'm going to have to stick with Bridged apps. Native isn't going to work - or am I missing something?
Chris

This is what I mean about the difference between importing and syncing.

- R.

Man I thought "activesync" was supposed to be built into the new PB PIM and it would take care of this so we wouldn't. But, no, it looks we have to go thru these manual import steps or use Google sync (good as it is BTW).

Originally Posted by PatrickMJS

Man I thought "activesync" was supposed to be built into the new PB PIM and it would take care of this so we wouldn't. But, no, it looks we have to go thru these manual import steps or use Google sync (good as it is BTW).

"ActiveSync" is for Exchange servers & is not used in GMAIL. If you use Exchange, your contacts are stored on the server - and are pulled into the PlayBook via ActiveSync without any issue.

If you store your contacts on the GMAIL servers, you will not have any issues.

If you store your contacts on your computer, in Outlook, you will need to do as the OP states; import your contacts into the mailbox the PB looks @!

The PlayBook is only looking @ your mailbox in a cloud somwhere - if there are no contacts in that mailbox... don't expect magic.

Oh Brizzad man, such a precious answer you gave me. "ooooh if you don't have any contacts in your mailbox, don't expect magic!!!". I bow down in awe at your techy prowess.

Look, my bb torch has all my email addresses, their passwords, their contacts & their calendars. My torch is connected to my pb via bluetooth. Alls I was saying was RIM could have used all those bits and connected/sync'd 'em so I didn't have to download and install Google sync onto my phone to do the same thing. Your response illustrates the typical BB attitude that less user friendly programming is better, and more hoops you have to go thru to get something done is better cuz we're all so smart and savvy and hip with the lingo.

Consumers are not using Exchange. Most don't even know what it is nor understand the difference between BIS & BES and don't want to know it either. So I'm sorry that I hoped os 2 would deploy activesync or [insert name of some other piece of software/jargon] to link my torch and my pb PIM stuff for me, like I said without needing to go thru Google sync... But oh well it is what it is. Thanks so much for chiming in.

Originally Posted by PatrickMJS

Oh Brizzad man, such a precious answer you gave me. "ooooh if you don't have any contacts in your mailbox, don't expect magic!!!". I bow down in awe at your techy prowess.

Look, my bb torch has all my email addresses, their passwords, their contacts & their calendars. My torch is connected to my pb via bluetooth. Alls I was saying was RIM could have used all those bits and connected/sync'd 'em so I didn't have to download and install Google sync onto my phone to do the same thing. Your response illustrates the typical BB attitude that less user friendly programming is better, and more hoops you have to go thru to get something done is better cuz we're all so smart and savvy and hip with the lingo.

Consumers are not using Exchange. Most don't even know what it is nor understand the difference between BIS & BES and don't want to know it either. So I'm sorry that I hoped os 2 would deploy activesync or [insert name of some other piece of software/jargon] to link my torch and my pb PIM stuff for me, like I said without needing to go thru Google sync... But oh well it is what it is. Thanks so much for chiming in.

Well said, very well said.

Especially "Your response illustrates the typical BB attitude that less user friendly programming is better, and more hoops you have to go thru to get something done is better cuz we're all so smart and savvy and hip with the lingo."

If anything's gonna kill RIM, it's that.

- R.

Originally Posted by Rooster99

Sorry, but importing isn't the same as syncing. Wish it was. Sigh ...

- R.

I know.
I meant from your first post you said...

Originally Posted by adblink

Look around for something that says "Import/Export"....... If you can't find it, or they don't provide that feature then unfortunately your journey ends here.

And I was responding that I couldn't find it. That option wasn't available.
I did manage to do the CVS file from outlook and import it into hotmail, but they require an ics file to be imported in. Unfortunately, outlook doesn't export isc files.

And then I decided I wouldn't stop using outlook and didn't want hassle with all that. I will just use the bridge.

I was just speaking "bottom line" in an uncharacteristically non-long winded moment. :D

Thanks Adblink !!!!!!! I am one of those people that don't know a bis from a bes. I am also one of those people that are concerned about google invading my privacy. I did want to get my contacts over to the PB and your method was very easy. Once in PB, I realy don't need it to synch since I can just add what I want or change whatever else I want. The point was to just get those contacts over. SFter this was accomplished, I merely deleted the gmail account I set up just for that.

Many Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by whitbags

Problem with calendar is it doesn't support recurring items - very irritating indeed.

It does support recurring items look above the reminder button

Originally Posted by coyotelandingbird

I migrated everything to Gmail, then deleted calender and contact info off phone, set Gmail as default, now everything syncs properly across BB and PB.

I did the same. But it does not syn. A Win7 tablet may do that though I am sure

Daniel

Originally Posted by whitbags

Problem with calendar is it doesn't support recurring items - very irritating indeed.

The Playbook's calendar allows you to designate whether an appt is recurring or not -- what do you mean when you say it doesn't support recurring items?

This worked for me. I use bell as me service provider (internet) @sympatico.ca email

using windows vista, windows native email program

Click contacts->click export->highlight CSV and click export->choose a name for the file and destination where you want to save the file (documents,desktop etc.)

exported .csv file to my desktop

Logged onto my @sympatico.ca web email account and imported the .csv file

confirm the .csv file imported to @sympatico.ca

Log out of @sympatico.ca

On playbook, touch 'add new account->email,calander and contacts->advanced setup->hotmail

Enter you info

**username and email address must be your @sympatico.ca email

**password must be your @sympatico.ca webmail logon password

continue

make sure all the sync items are set to on

save info

exit settings

if your contacts don't show up right away, go back into settings, touch the edit pencil icon, select the sympatico email, calendar,contacts account, make sure all sync items are set to on and click save.

This worked for me. good luck!

Originally Posted by adblink

Warning: I am just sharing the painless way I accomplished this task. It may not work for you as it totally depends on your email provider if this is going to work or not.

I use Outlook and pop3 email accounts provided by my ISP. First thing you need to do is log on to the webmail server usually provided on the hosts website. Look around for something that says "Import/Export", mine was found under the "Preferences" section. I had the option of importing .csv files from outlook for contacts and calendar. If you can't find it, or they don't provide that feature then unfortunately your journey ends here.

//edit It appears google also has the Import/Export feature! So you should be able to use your gmail account to accomplish this.

Next, go into Outlook and select the "Contacts" tab at the bottom left. Next go to File --> Import and Export --> Export to a File --> Comma Separated Values (DOS) --> Select "Contacts" in the folder tree --> Choose a location and SAVE.

Back in my webmail in the import/export section, I just browsed for that .csv file outlook created, uploaded...and boom. All my contacts on the playbook. Of course the email account you are choosing to upload the .csv file to must be registered with the playbook. The calendar can be sent to the playbook the same way. No need for any google software or giving a 3rd party program access to your gmail account.

Again I realize this might not work for everyone but if it helps a few people then I'm glad :)

This one worked for me. I have a Hotmail account and I followed the instructions to a tee and now my PB is exactly the way I want it!!! And to top it all off.. Google didn't get any of my info! I set it up in my PB to just sync the contacts and calendars. The emails remain on my 9860 unless I use the Bridge, of course. Thank you so much for this work around. Thank you!