New Outlook for Windows cannot create contacts

Question

Over the past week, New Outlook stopped being able to save new contacts. I even tried importing them. No go. How do I fix this?

[Moderator Note: Personal Info Removed]

Answer 1

Hi Alain Tranchemontagne,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Please note that our forum is a public platform, and we will modify your question to hide your personal information in the description. Kindly ensure that you hide any personal or organizational information the next time you post an error or other details to protect personal data.

Please review and try the steps provided by Q&A Assist above.

After completing them, if the issue still persists, kindly let me know (including the outcome of each step) so that an alternative solution can be suggested.

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Answer 2

New Outlook uses the same underlying contacts store as classic Outlook, so when new contacts cannot be saved or imported, the issue is typically with the contacts folder or the data being imported.

To fix this, use the supported repair path for contacts that cannot be edited or saved:

1. Export all existing contacts to a CSV file
   • In Outlook, export contacts to a Comma Separated Values (.csv) file as described in the article on exporting contacts.
2. Test creating a brand-new contact
   • In the current Contacts folder, create and save a new contact.
   • Reopen that new contact and try to edit the Notes field.
   • If the Notes field is editable, the folder itself is usable.
3. Re-import contacts into the existing Contacts folder (if the test contact is editable)
   • Import the CSV back into the same Contacts folder.
   • Choose the option Replace duplicates with items imported so the imported items overwrite the existing problematic ones.
   • This removes problematic internet header properties and marks the contacts as fully editable/savable again.
4. If the test contact is not editable
   • Create a new Contacts folder.
   • Import the CSV into this new folder instead.
   • Use this new folder going forward and avoid the old Contacts folder.

If importing fails or shows no contacts, verify the CSV:

1. Open the CSV in Excel and confirm there is data in it.
2. Ensure the first row still contains column headings (do not replace them).
3. When saving from Excel, always choose Yes when prompted to keep CSV format; otherwise the file may become unusable and need to be recreated.
4. If the CSV is empty, repeat the export from the source and then re-import.

Before doing any of this, back up Outlook data to a PST file so all existing items can be restored if needed.

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References:

• Unable to edit Contacts, Appointments, Meetings, or Tasks within Outlook
• Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet: Import contacts to Outlook for Windows
• No contacts appear in Outlook after import
• Import or export contacts in Outlook using a .csv file