New Field button is unavailable in Show Field dialog boxes in Outlook (197422)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q197422

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Field Chooser or Show Fields options in Microsoft Outlook, the resulting dialog boxes may display the New Field button as dimmed (unavailable), or if available, when you click the New Field button, you may receive the following message:
You do not have permission to add a custom field to the folder. Any field you create will appear only in the current view.

CAUSE

You can only create New fields in MAPI folders to which you have sufficient permissions.

MORE INFORMATION

To access the Show Fields option, on the View menu, point to Current View, point to Customize Current View, and then click Fields.

Note In Outlook 2003, on the View menu, point to Arrange By, point to Current View, click Customize Current View, and then click Fields.

The New Field button is not available for one of the following reasons:

- The current folder is a file system folder. For example, if the folder banner shows that the active folder is My Documents, then the New Field button will be unavailable.

- You do not have sufficient permissions to the selected MAPI folder. If the current folder is a MAPI folder, such as a public folder, you must have sufficient permissions to that folder to allow the creation of fields. Have the folder owner ensure create permission is available to you for the active folder. The folder owner, or another user with sufficient permissions, can access the permission settings for the folder by right-clicking the folder in the Outlook Bar or Folder List, and then clicking Properties on the shortcut menu.

To validate that the New Field button is working properly, follow these steps:

  1. Select the Inbox or another MAPI folder to which you know you have sufficient permissions.
  2. Right-click a column header and click Field Chooser on the shortcut menu.
  3. Confirm that the New Field button is available by clicking the button.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/17/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB197422
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