Macro programs

I’m attempting to copy each of my Outlook Contacts to OneNote.

Why? OneNote can, independent of Outlook, display, edit, recall, etc. etc. Outlook contact information, INCLUDING Notes, in Rich Text Format.

Unfortunately this can only be done one contact at a time, meaning: Doing this is straightforward, but very work intensive, To wit:
#1: Open contact; 2) click “Send to OneNote”; 3) locate cursor anywhere within Outlook Contact Notes field; 4) execute CntlA; 5) execute CntlC; 6) locate cursor in OneNote Notes field; 7) Execute CntlV;
#2: Reexecute #1 Open contact; 2) click “Send to OneNote”; etc.
#3: Do the same for over 300 contacts.

What Macro program(s) would you recommend that can easily do this? (preferably free ones)

Thanks

First try exporting Outlook Contacts to a CSV and make sure Notes are included in the mapping.
If you’re expecting to have one contact per one OneNote file, the following is useless to you.


To include the "Notes" field when exporting contacts from Outlook to a CSV file, use the "Import/Export Wizard" and ensure that the "Notes" field is included in the custom field mapping. This will ensure that the entire notes text is exported alongside other contact information.

1. Open Outlook: Launch the Outlook application and navigate to your Contacts folder.
2. Initiate Import/Export: Go to "File" > "Open & Export" > "Import/Export."
3. Select Export: Choose "Export to a file" and click "Next."
4. Choose CSV: Select "Comma Separated Values" and click "Next."
5. Select Contacts: Ensure that the correct Contacts folder is selected.
6. Map Custom Fields: Click "Map Custom Fields" and review the field mapping.
7. Locate "Notes": Find the "Notes" field in the list of fields.
8. Map "Notes": Make sure the "Notes" field is mapped to a suitable column in the CSV file. You may need to create a new column if one doesn't exist for the "Notes" field.
9. Select Destination: Choose a location and file name for the exported CSV file.
10. Finish: Click "Finish" to complete the export process.

Important Considerations:

• Large Amounts of Data:
  .
  If the "Notes" fields contain a lot of text or multiple line breaks, Outlook might not handle the export perfectly. You may need to adjust the CSV file in a text editor or use a macro to format the data as needed.
  
  
• Custom Field Mapping:
  .
  If you have custom fields in your contacts, be sure to map them correctly during the export process.
  
  
• Text Formatting:
  .
  If the "Notes" field contains multiple line breaks, you might need to manually adjust the CSV file to ensure it is properly formatted for import into other application.

Open the CSV in Excel, check your spreadsheet to see that the information is formatted correctly? Then import the Excel spreadsheet into OneNote.​

antspants said:

First try exporting Outlook Contacts to a CSV and make sure Notes are included in the mapping.

Click to expand...

Outlook can export its contacts to a CSV with no problems at all (without having to specify any special 'mapping' instructions.)

antspants said:

If you’re expecting to have one contact per one OneNote file, the following is useless to you.

Click to expand...

I don't exactly understand this because I'm not completely conversant with OneNote (I'm learning...like going back step(s) (e.g., Undo) can be unnervingly unavailable.

what I am wanting to do is something similar to this: .

Also as relates to the YouTube video...considerations of the incredible mess an import of a complicated .csv import into Excel can be, aside, it is probably patently ridiculous to export an Excel file into OneNote unless the purpose of that import is to open Excel and use the spreadsheet.

jro11 said:

Outlook contact information, INCLUDING Notes, in Rich Text Format

Click to expand...

NOTWITHSTANDING...
The mail point of getting Outlook Contacts into OneNote ((for my purposes) is to be able to view Contact File Notes with colored text, highlighted colors, larger text, boldface, etc., etc., etc., no matter whether it's called RTF or not.

By the way, when you export an Outlook Notes field into .csv (which implies, as vanilla text) the formatting 'instructions' are part of the .csv file and make the Notes field information virtually indecipherable.

ergo...the need for a Macro program to complete the steps I outlined.

p.s. I find it amazing that MS, in its infinite wisdom when stating that OneNote can be a repository for Outlook Contacts had not considered the possibility that one might to use it as such a repository.

jro11 said:

p.s. I find it amazing that MS, in its infinite wisdom when stating that OneNote can be a repository for Outlook Contacts had not considered the possibility that one might to use it as such a repository.

Click to expand...

I believe an add-in would need to be written for OneNote, or sort out from the web.
People are probably paid big money for these specialised tasks that as you mentioned, would seem logically common actions. In short, sure, I agree.

hdmi said:

https://community.powerplatform.com/forums/thread/?groupid=46ce02a3-e1a7-4176-81fc-d93a4001d287

Click to expand...

THANKS!! Power Automate seems perfect for the task!!

Problem: After reviewing all Microsoft materials regarding Power Automate, and then reviewing a slew of YouTube video tutorials, etc. I'm not able to determine whether its free or subscription: $15 to $350/month!

jro11 said:

Power Automate

Click to expand...

lol

Looking forward to the countless threads you create as a result of trying to utilise that suggestion.

Give it a go though, you get 30 days free, then you pay through your teeth for the privilege of being frustrated.

jro11 said:

THANKS!! Power Automate seems perfect for the task!!

Problem: After reviewing all Microsoft materials regarding Power Automate, and then reviewing a slew of YouTube video tutorials, etc. I'm not able to determine whether its free or subscription: $15 to $350/month!

Click to expand...

It's free if you get it from the Microsoft Store here.