Microsoft KB Archive/183077

= You cannot use Outlook 98 to customize a contact form that may be used by Outlook 97 users =

Article ID: 183077

Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Outlook 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q183077



NOTE: These procedures only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate Workgroup/Other option. This option allows you to use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, on the Help Menu click About Microsoft Outlook. In About Microsoft Outlook you should see "Corporate" if you have the Corporate Workgroup installation.



SYMPTOMS
You receive any of the following errors when working with shared contacts in Microsoft Outlook 97 under the following circumstances:

 When opening an existing contact, you receive the error:

Can't open this item.

 When creating a new contact item using the first toolbar button, you receive the error:

The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problem persists, start Outlook again.

 When creating a new contact item using the Contacts menu, you receive the error:

The form you selected could not be displayed. The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problem persists, start Outlook again.





CAUSE
The contact items are based on a custom form and someone used Outlook 98 to modify the General page of the form.



RESOLUTION
Do not use Outlook 98 to customize a contact form that may be used by Outlook 97 users. Outlook 98 adds functionality to the contact form and Outlook 97 was not designed to support this added functionality.



MORE INFORMATION
In a corporate environment, contacts are often placed in a Microsoft Exchange public folder so that they can be used by everyone in an organization. These contacts often use a custom form to provide functionality specific to an organization.

In general, as with many other situations involving multiple versions of software products, solutions should be created using the earliest release of the product being used in an organization.

