OL97: Error Using Command-Line Options in Combination (174480)

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Outlook 97, if you combine the /profile command-line switch with the /select command-line switch, in that order, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to display the selected folder or item.

RESOLUTION

Reverse the order of the command-line switches. Place the /select switch before the /profile switch on the command-line.

To correct the problem, follow these steps:

Click the Start button and then click Run.
In the Open box, type the following command-line and click OK.
"<full path>\ OUTLOOK.EXE" /select "<folder>" /profile "<profile>"
(where <full path> is the path to Outlook.exe and <profile is the profile you want to use)

The default installation path is:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OUTLOOK.EXE

If you have installed Outlook to a different folder, use the path to that folder.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 97. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The /profile switch opens Outlook using a specified profile. The /select switch opens Outlook displaying the specified folder.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

Click the Start button, and then click Run.
Type the following command-line and click OK:
<full path>\OUTLOOK.EXE" /profile "<profile>" /select "<folder>

RESULT: The error message above is displayed.

REFERENCES

Microsoft Outlook 97 provides several command-line switches for starting Outlook. Most of these switches can be used in combination with one another. For information on other command-line switches available in Outlook, search on the phrase "Control what happens when you start Outlook," using the Office Assistant.

For more information on additional command-line switches not documented in Help, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

156982 OL97: Additional Command-Line Switches for Microsoft Outlook