Troubleshooting Outlook Calendar & Contact Integration Issues

Last reviewed: 04/28/2010
Article ID: R10734

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

PracticeMaster users can integrate calendar records and contacts/Related Parties with Microsoft Outlook using One-Way or Two-Way integration. This article includes messages that may be displayed and other issues that may occur when a user is configured for Outlook Integration. 

General troubleshooting

When encountering problems syncing calendar records or contacts/related parties with Outlook, use the following general troubleshooting steps first.

page top

"Exchange User" Field is Missing List of Users

It has been reported that using Outlook with Exchange, while attempting to configure integration in System Configuration Version 15.2 and earlier, that the Exchange mailboxes are missing from the list. Integration with Outlook has been improved with Version 15.3, which has resolved this issue. Upgrade to Version 15.3 or later.

"Select Users" field is Disabled for Two-Way Integration

The Select Users field on the Calendar tab of the Outlook Synchronization window is only available when Outlook is configured to communicate with an Exchange server, and the current login user has configured their Exchange User in System Configuration. To set the Exchange user value, perform the following steps:

  1. Open System Configuration.
  2. From the File menu, point to Open, then select Users.
  3. Select the User ID from the list, then tab down to the Integration section.
  4. Verify that Outlook is selected, and select the Exchange User from the list.
    Note if "None" is the only entry in the Exchange User list, refer to "Exchange User" Field is Missing List of Users.
  5. Save the User record, then close System Configuration.
    Note that PracticeMaster must be restarted for the changes to take effect.

The Select Users field is only available for Two-Way Integration, and will be disabled if Integration is set to One-Way (or Disabled).

Folder sets in Outlook with the Same Name Cause Contact Mapping Issues

If there are one or more folder sets in Outlook that are named the same (for example, two sets of "Personal Folders"), there is a contact mapping problem.  For example, if you map the Outlook Contact folder to integrate with the PracticeMaster related parties, if you attempt to map to the Contacts folder in the second set of, for example Personal Folders, and click OK, when you go back into the folder mapping, the Contacts folder in the first set of Personal Folders will be the one that is selected instead of the one that was originally selected in the second set.

Additionally, if the Contacts folder in the second set of Personal Folders is named something other than "Contacts", you may receive the following error message: 

    "Outlook Error:  The operation failed.  An object could not be found.  Invalid Contact folder."

Solution:  Rename one of the folder sets so that they do not have the same name.

Synchronizing Outlook Prompts to Change Phone Fields

Cause:  Outlook (2002 and later) always formats phone numbers as (123) 456-7890. If PracticeMaster records are synchronized to Outlook in another format, Outlook will change this formatting and prompt to change these fields when synchronized back to PracticeMaster.

Solution:  To avoid synchronization prompts, enter phone numbers using the (123) 456-7890 format when integrating with Outlook.

Duplicate Entries when integrating with Outlook

Cause:  Duplicate entries in PracticeMaster may occur when the following are true:

Solution:  To avoid duplicate entries, use one of the following solutions:

page top

Entries Unexpectedly Marked for Deletion when integrating with Outlook

Cause:  Beginning with Outlook 2003 SP2, when requesting a meeting in Outlook, confirming that meeting can attempt to delete the record rather than modify the existing record. When integrating the calendar record with PracticeMaster, you may be prompted to delete the record in PracticeMaster.

Solution:  To avoid duplicate entries, use one of the following solutions:

page top

Log File Messages

The following is a list of messages that may be included in the Outlook Synchronization Log File. Check the release date of PracticeMaster. If the release date is prior to 3-16-2006, then the log file is named CMOL????.LOG where ???? represents the Verification ID assigned in System Configuration and can be found on a Detailed User List. If the release date is on or after 3-16-2006, the log file is called CMOL_XXX.log where XXX is the User ID. In either case, the log file is created each time the Outlook Synchronization program in PracticeMaster is run and is located in the PracticeMaster program directory.

"Calendar or Task records have been deleted in Outlook for User x."

Cause:  This message indicates that records have been deleted in Outlook but the Allow deletion of PracticeMaster records check box was not selected when running the two-way synchronization.

Solution:  If you would like the records that were deleted in Outlook to also be deleted in PracticeMaster, when running the two-way synchronization, select the Allow deletion of PracticeMaster records check box in the Outlook Synchronization window.

"Cannot sync exceptions for <User ID>. Clear previously synced should be enabled."

Cause: Records exist that cannot be handled or corrected from the sync program. 

Solution: Rerun the Outlook Synchronization program with the Clear previously synchronized Outlook records check box selected or manually delete the problematic records.

 

"Could not access <User ID>'s Outlook Calendar Folder. No events synced."
"Could not access <User ID>'s Outlook Task Folder. No tasks synced."

Cause: The user running the synchronization could not access the desired Outlook folder because of incorrect permissions, network problem, etc.

Solution:  See the General Troubleshooting section for troubleshooting information.

 

"Could not create <User ID>'s  Outlook synchronization fields.  <User ID> should run sync to create these fields."

Cause: The STISeqNo and STIUpdate fields do not exist in the Outlook folder of the user specified.  The user running the synchronization does not have the necessary rights to create the fields for the specified user. 

Solution:  The specified user needs to run the one-way or two-way synchronization to create the synchronization fields.

 

"Failed clearing <User ID>'s  previously synced Outlook events."
"Failed clearing <User ID>'s  previously synced Outlook tasks."

Cause: The Outlook records containing an STISeqNo field with a value > 0 were not successfully deleted. Restart Outlook and PracticeMaster, then try again. If the same error reoccurs, see General Troubleshooting.

 

"Could not initialize <User ID>'s Outlook records. No records synced."

Cause: A program error occurred while checking or initializing the STISeqNo or STIUpdate fields. The Outlook Synchronization program cannot continue without these fields, so synchronizing for the user is aborted. Restart Outlook and PracticeMaster, then try again. If the same error reoccurs, see General Troubleshooting.

 

"OL Add Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"OL Change Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"OL Delete Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"OL Rewrite Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

Cause: Success creating an Outlook record, changing an Outlook record, deleting an Outlook record, or rewriting an Outlook record (Note that rewriting Outlook records are always rewritten to match the corresponding PracticeMaster record).

 

"OL Add Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

"OL Change Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

"OL Delete Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

"OL Rewrite Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

Cause: Failure creating an Outlook record, changing an Outlook record, deleting an Outlook record, or rewriting an Outlook record.

 

"<User ID>'s Outlook Calendar/Contact/Task Folder contains invalid sync fields. Cannot sync <User ID>'s records."

Cause: The STISeqNo and STIUpdate fields stored in the Outlook records that have been synchronized with PracticeMaster are corrupt.

Solution:  Use the following suggestions to resolve this error:

 

"PM Add Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"PM Change Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"PM Delete Success: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

Cause: Success adding a PracticeMaster record, changing a PracticeMaster record, or deleting a PracticeMaster record.

 

"PM Add Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"PM Change Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."
"PM Delete Failure: <User ID>, <Type>, <Client ID>, <Start Date>, <Time>, <Description>."

Cause: Failure adding a PracticeMaster record, changing a PracticeMaster record, or deleted a PracticeMaster record.

 

"Successfully cleared <User ID>'s  previously synced Outlook events."
"Successfully cleared <User ID>'s  previously synced Outlook tasks."

Cause: The Outlook records containing an STISeqNo field with a value > 0 were successfully deleted.

 

"Unexpected error accessing <User ID>'s  Outlook Calendar Folder. No records synced."
"Unexpected error accessing <User ID>'s  Outlook Task Folder. No records synced."

Cause: An error occurred while reading <User ID>'s Task or Calendar (appointment) Folder. No records will be synced for the user. Restart PracticeMaster and Outlook, then try again. If the same error is encountered, see General Troubleshooting.

 

"Unexpected error preprocessing <User ID>'s Calendar/Task/Contact records.  Outlook error:  The message specified cannot be found."

Cause:  This message indicates that records have been deleted in Outlook but the Allow deletion of PracticeMaster records check box was not selected when running the two-way synchronization.  In more current releases of PracticeMaster, this message was changed to, "Calendar or Task records have been deleted in Outlook for User x."

Solution:  Consider the following solutions:

"Unexpected error preprocessing Contact records.  No contact synced."

          Cause: The workstation is low on memory or system resources.

          Solution: Close open windows or open programs and try to sync again.  If you still receive this message restart your workstation.         

page top

MESSAGES displayed during Synchronization or Synchronization SetUp

"Cannot access Outlook."

Cause:  This error message may be caused by one of the following reasons:

"Connection to Outlook could not be made. Outlook integration will be disabled for this session." 

Cause: This message can be displayed when there are multiple Outlook profiles configured and there is no default profile specified.  When prompted for a profile, if no profile is selected, after a period of time you may receive this message. This can also be caused by missing or corrupt Outlook registry settings.

Solution:   If there are multiple Outlook profiles configured, try the action again. If there are not multiple Outlook profiles, restart PracticeMaster and Outlook, then try again. If the same error is encountered, repair Outlook and try the action again. If the same error is still encountered, reinstall Outlook.

 

Note: This message may also be received when attempting to integrate PracticeMaster Version 15 or prior with Microsoft Outlook 2010 64-bit. Refer to KB Article R11302, "Compatibility with 64-bit Operating Systems & Software" for more information.

 

"Could not create log file "CMOLxxxx.log". Outlook Synchronization cannot continue." 

Cause: The log file is rewritten during every synchronization. PracticeMaster is unable to create this file. One possible reason is if the log file already exists and it is already open in a duplicate user session, the log file cannot be recreated.

 

"Delete all records linked to this record?  User: <User ID>  Date: <Date>  Desc: <Description>"

Cause: This message is displayed when a record assigned to multiple users is deleted in Outlook and is then synchronized to PracticeMaster.

 

"Do you want to save changes to the Outlook Synchronization Settings?" 

Cause: Changes were made to the Outlook synchronization preferences. You have the option to save the changes for future synchronizing or use the settings for the current synchronization only.

 

"Failed to add Outlook Contact: <Contact Name>. Could not access the Outlook Contact folder. "
"The Contacts folder could not be found. Could not open the item. Try again."

"Unexpected error preprocessing Contact records. No contacts synced."

Cause:  This error message may be caused by one of the following reasons:

Solutions:  Use one of the following suggestions to resolve this error:

"Failed to change/delete Outlook Contact: <Contact Name>. Duplicate STI SeqNo: <SeqNo>"

Cause:  PracticeMaster data was restored.

Solution:  In PracticeMaster, run the Outlook Synchronization program (Maintenance | Integration | Outlook Synchronization). On the Contacts tab, select the Clear previously synchronized Outlook records check box.

 

"Failed to change <User ID>'s Outlook record.  Could not access Outlook folder."

    --or--
"Failed to create <User ID>'s Outlook record.  Could not access Outlook folder."
   
--or--
"Failed to delete <User ID>'s Outlook record.  Could not access Outlook folder."

Cause:  The user is mapped to an Exchange user. However, PracticeMaster cannot access Exchange and the required Outlook folder.

Solution:  Use the following suggestions to resolve this error:

"No modifications needed."

Cause: There were no records requiring synchronization.

 

"Outlook API initialization failed." 

Cause:  This message usually follows the "Connection to Outlook could not be made.  Outlook integration will be disabled for this session." message.  There are missing or corrupt Outlook registry settings.

Solution:  Restart PracticeMaster and Outlook, then try again. If the same error is encountered, repair Outlook and try the action again. If the same error is still encountered, reinstall Outlook.

 

"Outlook could not be started. Outlook integration will be disabled for this session." 

Cause: Outlook is not installed or, Outlook is installed but PracticeMaster cannot connect to it.

Solution: Reboot the workstation and perform the synchronization again.  

 

"Outlook error:  Operation failed.  An object could not be found.  Invalid calendar/contact folder."

Cause:  This message may be caused by one of the following scenarios.

To select a valid contact folder:

  1. From the System Configuration menu, select File | Open | User.

  2. Verify that the user for this workstation is selected.

  3. In the Integration section, click the Configure button next to the Outlook check box.

  4. Click the Contacts tab.

  5. Click the Outlook Folder button.

  6. If you receive the message, "You do not have permission to access Internet Newsgroups", click OK.  (Select the Do not show again check box if you do not wish to see this message again the next time you access the Outlook Folders.)

  7. Select the desired Outlook contact folder.

  8. Click OK to exit the Select Outlook Contact Folder window.

  9. Click OK to exit the Outlook Synchronization window.

  10. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes.

"Outlook integration is disabled."

Cause: This message is displayed when a user tries to run the Outlook Synchronization program but synchronization is disabled.

Solution:  Configure one-way or two-way Outlook synchronization prior to running the synchronization program.

"Outlook Integration must be configured for Two-Way Synchronization in System Configuration." 

Cause: This message is displayed when a user configured for One-Way Integration tries to run the Outlook Synchronization program in PracticeMaster.

 

"Outlook preferences have not been saved for user <User ID> in System Configuration."

Cause: The user running the synchronization had an older version of PracticeMaster/Case Master with integration enabled, but has since upgraded to PracticeMaster Version 10.6. 

Solution:  Configure two-way Outlook synchronization prior to running the synchronization program.

"Outlook Synchronization could not be started" 

Cause:  This error message may be caused by one of the following reasons:

"Outlook Synchronization requires "Edit Public" access rights to synchronize PracticeMaster calendars.  The following users will not be synchronized: <User ID>, <User ID>"

Cause: The user running the synchronization does not have "Edit Public" access rights for the listed user's PracticeMaster calendar records. Access Rights for PracticeMaster calendar records is configured in System Configuration via the User Configuration program.

 

"Outlook Synchronization requires Outlook Integration to be enabled and an Exchange User mapping.  The following users will not be synchronized: <User ID>, <User ID>" 

Cause: The list of users represents the users who do not have Outlook integration enabled or who are not mapped to an Exchange user. Without an Exchange user mapping, there is no shared Outlook folder for the synchronization program to access.

 

"Unable to log on to MAPI.  Reason: Unknown error initializing extended MAPI. Outlook Synchronization cannot continue." 

Cause: This message is displayed when Outlook is not the Windows default e-mail client.  In order to synchronize with Outlook, Outlook must be the Windows default e-mail client.

Solution: Configure Outlook as the default e-mail client. 

"Unexpected error preprocessing Contact records. No contacts synced."

Cause:  This error message may be caused by one of the following reasons:

Solutions:

"Update all records linked to this event/task?  User: <User ID>  Date: <Date> Desc: <Description>"

Cause: This message is displayed when a record assigned to multiple users is changed in Outlook and is then synchronized to PracticeMaster.

 

"You do not have permission to access Internet Newsgroups"

Cause:  This message is displayed when clicking on the Outlook Folder button on the Contacts tab of the Outlook Synchronization window (in PracticeMaster or System Configuration).  This is indicating that there is a folder in Outlook called "Internet Newsgroups" that you do not have permission to access.  It is possible for this message to indicate a folder other than Internet Newsgroups.  This message is simply indicating that you will not be able to map the contact integration to the folder specified in the message.  This does not indicate a problem.

Solution:  Select the Do not show again check box if you do not want to see this message in the future.  Click OK to be taken to the Select Outlook Contact Folder window where you can select which Outlook folder you want to integrate with PracticeMaster related parties.

Synchronization Setup Notes

If you want to utilize one-way synchronization between a pre-existing PracticeMaster installation and a new Outlook installation, you may first want to move previously entered PracticeMaster Calendar records and Related Parties to Outlook. If this is not done, only new records will be integrated with Outlook. To enable pre-existing PracticeMaster records to be synchronized with Outlook, you must first temporarily enable two-way integration.

To enable Two-Way Integration

  1. Launch System Configuration.
  2. Open the User file (File | Open | Users) and look up your User ID.
  3. Click the Configure button next to the Outlook check box.
  4. On the Calendar tab, select Two-Way (Synchronization) instead of One-Way (PracticeMaster to Outlook) as well as the settings for the integration.
  5. On the Contacts tab, select Two-Way (Synchronization) instead of One-Way (PracticeMaster to Outlook) as well as the settings for the integration.
  6. Click OK to close the Outlook Synchronization window.
  7. Save the changes and close the User Configuration window.

Then, the PracticeMaster and Outlook synchronization must be completed using the following procedure.

To Synchronize Pre-Existing PracticeMaster Records to Outlook

  1. Once Two-Way (Synchronization) is enabled, restart PracticeMaster.
  2. From the PracticeMaster Maintenance menu, point to Integration and select Outlook Synchronization.
  3. Select the Enable Confirmation check box.
  4. Enter 0 in the changes will display dialog field so that all changes will be displayed.
  5. Click the Sync button.
  6. The Outlook Synchronization Confirmation window will be displayed. Click the left column by each Outlook record to clear the check mark (disable the synchronization) of any Outlook records to PracticeMaster.
    1. Be sure to select each of the three folders (PracticeMaster, Outlook, and Exceptions) and confirm no unwanted changes will be made to PracticeMaster.
  7. Click the Perform Sync button.
  8. Click OK to view a report of the changes that were made.
  9. Re-open System Configuration and change the integration back to One-Way (PracticeMaster to Outlook).

Repairing Microsoft Outlook

The following procedures may be used to repair your installation of Microsoft Outlook. (Note: These procedures work for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.)

To repair Outlook 2007

  1. From the Windows Control Panel, select Add or Remove Programs (in Windows Vista and Windows 7, this option is referred to as Programs and Features).
  2. In the Add or Remove Programs (or Programs and Features) window, select Microsoft Office [your Office edition] 2007.
  3. Click Change.
  4. In the Microsoft Office [your Office edition] 2007 window, select Repair.
  5. Click Continue.

To repair Outlook 2003

  1. From the Windows Control Panel, select Add or Remove Programs (in Windows Vista and Windows 7, this option is referred to as Programs and Features).
  2. In the Add or Remove Programs (or Programs and Features) window, select Microsoft Office [your Office edition] 2003.
  3. Click Change.
  4. In the Microsoft Office 2003 Setup window, select Reinstall or Repair.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Select Detect and Repair errors in my Office installation.
  7. Click Install.

page top

References


© 1999-2010 Software Technology, Inc.   All rights reserved. Terms of Use
The maker of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster
Tabs3, PracticeMaster, and the “pinwheel” symbol (The "Pinwheel" symbol is a Registered Trademark of Software Technology, Inc.) are registered trademarks of Software Technology, Inc.
e-Mail Suggestions for the Knowledge Base to: kb@Tabs3.com
Technical Support via e-mail is not available.
Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com