Help please.

I have successfully set up Outlook 2010 with 3 accounts and imported the emails and calendar from Outlook 2007.  Unfortunately, the calendar does not have the category colours applied as per the original Outlook 2007 calendar. How can I import these colours?

Anny help would be appreciated.

It is not correct to use export/import to transfer data between two Outlook instances.  Simply open the PST in the new Outlook.  I would use the Mail applet in Control Panel to add the PST to the mail profile, set it as default to make it the delivery location, then start Outlook 2010.  That should give you your colors.  If it doesn't then right-clicking the root of the folder set and choosing Upgrade to Color Categories should.  Exporting and importing always loses data.

Hi Brian,
      Thanks fo the reply.

 Choosing 'Upgrade to Color Categories' worked well. Thank you 

Click 'Mail'
Right click on 'Outlook Data File'
'Data File Properties...'
'Upgrade to Color Categories...'


Thanks Brian for help and explanation.

Hi Brian, all,

I had the same issue and I tried the "Upgrade to Color Categories" option... It works, but, as soon as I restart Outlook, my categories disappear again... So, I have to Upgrade to Color Categories each time I open Outlook and I get different colors assigned to each category (it is a bit annoying).

Any hints?

Thanks in advance!!!

Alan

These tools retain colors itact:
http://www.outlookfreeware.com/en/products/categories

 I have been told that import is the best. What's the difference between an Import and using the old PST?  What's lost or gained?

 I have been told that import is the best. What's the difference between an Import and using the old PST?  What's lost or gained?

You've been told wrong. Importing is a time consuming process which will strip a lot of meta-data, custom views, rules, color category master list, published custom forms, message download history (in case of Outlook 2010) and lots more.

The only thing which is gained, in case you were having issues with your current pst-file, is that you start off clean. But if you indeed have issues with your current pst-file, the Import process will probably fail as well. In that case, you'll need to transfer your data manually to a new pst-file. For instructions see; http://www.msoutlook.info/question/329

A reason to start with a new pst-file would be if you are still using an ANSI formatted pst-file and want to migrate to a Unicode pst-file (which is the new default format since Outlook 2003).

Kevin, You have not been "told wrong".  You are simply working off old information that Robert is too young to remember.  (Sorry, Robert -- but arrogant answers invite terse responses).  I know this is an old thread, but Kevin asked a legitimate question that deserves a legitimate answer.  Not to mention all of the people who will find this thread and deserve a good closure.

Back in the early days of Outlook, Microsoft was making changes to the .pst file.  Significantly, allowing larger size of the .pst file and improving stability.  Simply re-using the old .pst file would not allow a person to achieve full benefits of upgrading from one version of Outlook to the next.  Additionally, re-using the old .pst file would often lead to corruption issues down the road.  Importing from the old file was a much wiser transition path most of the time.

Fast forward to modern Outlook and (currently) there is little to be gained by following the old-school wisdom of importing rather than re-using PROVIDED your .pst file is in good shape.  If you suspect any corruptions (exhibited by strange Outlook behavior), starting with a clean .pst and following the import path is best.

When you perform an upgrade installation of Outlook (or Office), the installation will take care of everything for you.  This is the correct and most efficient path to upgrade client system from Outlook 2007 to Outlook 2010, retaining all colors, categories, and other personal user settings.

I have a similar issue but directly related. After experiencing "move" and "delete" problems using an older version Outlook PST with my 2010 Outlook, I decided to experiment with the creation of a 2010 version PST then importing from the older version into the 2010 version. All seems to have worked well except that my personally created categories (names and colors/colours) are not present in the 2010 version, although the data was imported. EX:  a personally created category "To be invoice" which is orange in the older version PST having a Calendar entry of ACME Anti-roadrunner Co. showed up in my 2010 version calendar but with a generic color and without my "To be invoice" category name. I then executed the suggested "Upgrade to Color Categories". Initially I didn't have my desired results, however after closing my opened calendar then reopening it I had my quasi-desired results. I can now "move" and "delete" my personalized Mail folders AND my Calendar has the desired nomenclature, UNFORTUNATELY color codes are no longer identical to the older version Outlook PST.

Please help Brian I have the same problem with Outlook 2010 losing the category colours under Windows 8.

I'm not a techo and don't understand your references to Control panel and the mail applet in control panel.  I went to control panel and accessed the small icons which provided a mail icon but opening that didn't provide the information above.  Is it possible to post a path for the files you are dealing with please......I'm lost and badly need the colour categories in my calendar

Many thanks for any help

Regards