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Orphan User-defined Fields |
  
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Orphan User-defined Fields |
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This topic applies strictly to user-defined fields when the standard contact message class (IPM.Contact) is used to create a contact item. None of this applies if the contact has been created with a custom form (new user-defined fields should never be added through this method if a custom form is in use).
Typically, a new user-defined field is added to a contact by clicking on the <All Fields> option:
Using Outlook '2007 - equivalent option available in all other Outlook versions
The default presentation is to show all user-defined fields used in the item which will show all UDFs associated with the item whether or not the field is also included in the <User-defined fields in folder> list.
Adding a new user-defined field
When you add a new user-defined field to a contact item, the following is actually what occurs:
| 1. | The <Select from> list changes from <User-defined fields in this item> to <User-defined fields in folder> |
| 2. | You enter the applicable information regarding the UDF (name, type etc) |
| 3. | When you press the <OK> button - the UDF gets added to the <User-defined fields in folder> list. It DOES NOT get added to the <User-defined fields in this item> list UNTIL you actually enter a value into the field. At that point, the UDF gets added to the item itself with the value entered. Similarly, adding a user-defined field to the <folders> list directly, also does not add the field to any given contact item. |
| 4. | UDF fields do not get added to any pre-existing contacts - each contact must have a value added to the field in order for that to occur. |
| 5. | Removing a user-defined fields from the <Folders> list does not remove the field from the individual contact items - this creates <orphan user-defined fields>. |
| 6. | Once a user-defined field is added to a contact item, it cannot be renamed or otherwise be altered (changing field type etc) |
| 7. | A user-defined field added to a contact remains part of the contact information until it is specifically deleted from that particular contact |