Got a new laptop and imported my address book (wab) into OE... the same way I've done it dozens of times over the years...

But on this 'puter the Contacts pane is empty.

When I go to the address book (from within OE) all my contacts are there, and when I go to send an email and start typing an email address, the auto complete recognizes it and completes it.

So basically I see that OE is recognizing the address book, but the Contacts window doesn't recognize it.

... can't find anything helpful at microsoft.com or annoyances.org.

Any suggestions out there?

Thanks!

Have you tried turning off the Contacts pane and turning it back on?
View > Layout, uncheck Contacts, click OK. Shut down OE then reopen it and add the Contacts pane back in.

It does seem like OE "sees" your contacts database but doesn't display it. Odd.

Let me know how that works out.

Yes, strange indeed.

I've tried every logical order of
Show Contacts
Restart OE
Deselect Contacts
Reboot

... even imported same add book into OE on another computer and no problems.

Odder, I think, too that I've scoured with Google and can't even find a single soul describing this problem.

I suppose I could try uninstalling and reinstalling OE... but heck, probably not: it's more of an annoyance than a real problem...

I think I've discovered the issue on this one.

Just got a new computer - and as I type I'm importing my HUMONGOUS address book from my saved .wab file.

For the first few minutes of the import, I saw the contacts (in the contacts pane) growing and growing... and all of the sudden it went empty (while the contacts are still importing) and now it reads "There are no contacts to display. Click on Contacts to create a new Contact"

I've searched the web and not found this to be true for sure, but I'm convinced that it's just that OE will do that if there more than X contacts in the address book.

PS- Import is done. 2017 items. The Contacts pane is still blank. I'm SURE now that it's due to a maximum number that OE will display in that pane...

I think I've discovered the issue on this one.

Just got a new computer - and as I type I'm importing my HUMONGOUS address book from my saved .wab file.

For the first few minutes of the import, I saw the contacts (in the contacts pane) growing and growing...and all of the sudden it went empty (while the contacts are still importing) and now it reads "There are no contacts to display. Click on Contacts to create a new Contact"

I've searched the web and not found this to be true for sure, but I'm convinced that it's just that OE will do that if there more than X contacts in the address book.
I had the same issues and I think you are correct about the max limit I have over 1.8k contact myself and when I was importing my address book I saw the names as well then they disappeard.
Kevin

Hi rickj & euro3 I am also facing same problem but I have observed one thing and that is if your address book is having 999 contacts it show you in the pane and you add just a single contact also it dissapers, if you find the solution for the same please let me know

Thanks in advance

Vabi

I'll buy that. When I was importing my address book, the contacts pane was showing until right around 1000 or so, then it disappeared.

Next time Bill G. and I are out having a beer, I'll ask him about fixing this :)

[F]I just had this same problem and not for the first time. The last was, however, long ago enough that I'd forgotten the solution, viz. there are too many contacts in your address book. (It would be nice if OE were to so inform, of course... ). Deleting one or more should make the contacts magically reappear. While they are hidden, this process must of necessity be done via the Address Book.

OMG!! Thank you so much! This really helped! It is indeed a max number of contacts... I deleted ONE from my address book, and hey presto, as if by magic, the whole contacts list was once again displayed... Thank you so much! Thought I was gong mad! BTW this is Sept 2010, on Windows XP.. Outlook Epxpress numbers as follows.. 6.00.2900.5512 (xpsp080413-2105)... hhhhmmmm...

I just started having the problem. I have two identities and the problem is only on the one that has a lot of entries. Found an easy solution. Just delete all the address book entries that you no longer need. Once you get below the maximum which seems to be 999 your contacts will re-appear in the left pane. Delete enough to allow for future additions.

Thanks for this advice. My address book also mysteriously would not display in Outlook Express. I reduced my address book below 1000 entries and everything shows up perfectly.