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Where are the phonebook contents stored in Thunderbird?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Gnospen

donblv
donblv
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I need to get my phonebook from one PC to another since the import function in Thunderbird doesn't function worth a darn with MS Outlook 2010 and likely 2013. I tried the import using .txt and .csv imports and neither is a simple solution. The import screen lining up fields makes no sense. One should be able to seamlessly import from Outlook just as from Outlook Express. Outlook and Eudora show up on the import screen but are grayed out. Is there no "easy" way to import contacts from Outlook. If not, is there a file I can copy over containing the Contacts data. I don't see any in the program folder.

Thanks, donblv

I need to get my phonebook from one PC to another since the import function in Thunderbird doesn't function worth a darn with MS Outlook 2010 and likely 2013. I tried the import using .txt and .csv imports and neither is a simple solution. The import screen lining up fields makes no sense. One should be able to seamlessly import from Outlook just as from Outlook Express. Outlook and Eudora show up on the import screen but are grayed out. Is there no "easy" way to import contacts from Outlook. If not, is there a file I can copy over containing the Contacts data. I don't see any in the program folder. Thanks, donblv

All Replies (2)

Zenos
Zenos
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Can I ask you to think about why there is an import function? Maybe it's because different programs use different and mutually incompatible formats. So pasting in someone else's "phone book" is not going to work.

Thunderbird's native address book files have a .mab extension.

I suggest you persevere with the csv import.

http://xenos-email-notes.simplesite.com/417788922

You need to be aware that Thunderbird has a limit on the number of data categories, and you should try to remove any unused, empty or non-matching fields.

Some users prefer to work in the csv file directly, removing and rearranging columns to match Thunderbird's fields.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_address_list_from_text_file

Gnospen
Gnospen
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Thats a often asked question. and there is no good answer. If you downgrade to Version 31, or 24 or 17. It might work. The option was disabled in later versions because of bug-reports. The crashes that caused the disabling in the fist place commenced in V24. But not everyone who imported Outlook in V24 and 31 crashed.

Can't outlook export in .csv format? There are some freeware out there that might be helpful (be careful)

A .csv file can be imported. or a .vcf (I found Importing it into a spreadsheet, correcting it and reexport it as .csv was much easier than correcting inside Addressbook.)

With MoreFunctionsForAddressBook its easier to import.

EDIT didn't see that you got an answer.

Modified by Gnospen