Database Sync with Microsoft Outlook

Question

We have a marketing and contact program that is set up in Microsoft Access. 

We also use Microsoft Outlook to sync with iPhones, etc. 

The problem we have is that we are double-inputting information. It goes first into the Access program for marketing/contacts, then we need to re-enter it in Outlook.

I am looking to get help sync these two programs so that once it is entered in one, it can sync with the other.

Answer 1

In Access 2013, in the External Data tab, you'll see a section called Import and Link. Select the "More" drop-down menu then select "Outlook Folder". From there, you can link an Access database (I started from a blank database) to Outlook 2013 and you'll see all of the contacts from Outlook in the Access database now.

Based on my tests though, changes don't sync both ways; they only sync from Outlook 2013 to Access 2013, so you'll have to make all of your changes through Outlook 2013, and then click the "Refresh" button on the "Home" tab in Access. The data does refresh and you don't have to re-import anything, but it only goes one way, that I could find.

Answer 2

Hi King-Tech,

I have been doing the exact thing.  In iPhone contacts are displayed differently than they appear in outlook.  I used an outlook namespace connection in Access VBA to connect to outlook, then switch around the way access exports to outlook.  I imagine you have started with the standard access 2013 contacts database?  This will get you on the right path:

How to programmatically import Outlook items from Access

Then you will need to map your fields to outlook:

Outlook Fields and Equivalent Properties

This should be enough to get you started with the export. 

Importing from Outlook to Access is a bit more difficult as Stanimal21 implies, but it is not impossible.  there are macro functions in access, but again I would do it programmatically to control associated fields, import only what you need, and to be careful not to overwrite records in your master access table.

Answer 3

Creo que vas por buen camino.