Convert a non-Unicode data file (.pst) to a Unicode data file (.pst)

Error Message:

The Personal Folders file (.pst) you selected does not match the format of your Offline Folder file (.ost). To correct this, select a Personal Folders file that supports Unicode or disable the use of offline folders.

Solution:

Convert a non-Unicode data file (.pst) to a Unicode data file (.pst)There is no automatic way of converting a Microsoft Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders file (.pst) to a Unicode-capable Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders file (.pst) file. The easiest way to convert a non-Unicode .pst file is to create a new data file in the Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders file (.pst) format that supports Unicode and then import items from the old data file to the new Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders file (.pst).

Create a new data file

1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Outlook Data File.
2. To create a Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst) that offers greater storage capacity for items and folders and supports multilingual Unicode data, click OK.
3. In the File name box, type a name for the file, and then click OK.
4. In the Name box, type a display name for the .pst folder.

5. Select any other options you want, and then click OK. The name of the folder associated with the data file appears in the Folder List. To view the Folder List, on the Go menu, click Folder List. By default, the folder will be called Personal Folders.

Import items to the new data file

1. On the File menu, click Import and Export.
2. Click Import from another program or file, and then click Next.
3. Click Personal Folder File (.pst), and then click Next.
4. In the File to import box, specify the path and file name of the old non-Unicode Microsoft Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File (.pst) file you want to import and click Next.
5. Select Import items into the same folder in: and select the name of your new Unicode Personal Folders File (.pst).
6. Follow the remaining instructions in the Import and Export Wizard.