How do I merge my Outlook 2002 contacts list with one from my business
partner, and also with another one.
 
We have duplicate entries, but they are not exact duplictes.  I might
have the full company name, but not the fax number, and my partner
might have the fax number, but only part of the company name.
 
I found these resources, but they don't address the type of fuzzy
duplicate merging that I want to do.
 
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q230565 
 
I also found this:   OutlookDuplicates Remover Version 3.0
(http://www.hlyspirit.org.uk/outlook.php), but it doesn't seem suited
for fuzzy duplicates.

Hi there,

I have found a program, and its sole purpose is to do as you have
described. Slipstick.com describe it:

"We don't always find a utility that fits both on features and price,
but here's one that's irresistible: Outlook Contacts Scrubber... lets
you perform a field-by-field cleanup of duplicate items in your
Contacts folder. It's fast, and it's free."
http://www.slipstick.com/emo/2001/up010214.htm

This from the makers:

"It works by processing a Contacts folder, looking for possible
duplicate items.   (You can configure the program as to what it should
consider a "duplicate".)   As it finds duplicates, it presents them to
you, displaying field-by-field comparisons of item data, and proposing
a logical way of merging the item data into one unique Contact item.  
You can then select to perform the merge of these items; you can opt
to use the program's proposed merge, or you can override it with your
own choices, on a field-by-field basis."
http://www.teamscope.com/contacts_scrubber.htm

The above link contains a screenshot which indicates how it works, and
has a link to the free download.


Search strategy:

outlook duplicates merge -"mail merge"
://www.google.com/search?q=outlook+duplicates+merge+-%22mail+merge%22


I trust this answers your question. If any portion of my answer is
unclear, please ask for clarification.

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

thanks tons