How to Synchronize Outlook data with Yahoo

I use Outlook as my primary email client. I'm a bit of a backup freak and have multiple copies of my email files. As an added level of protection, I synchronize my Outlook Calendar, Contacts and Notes to Yahoo using Yahoo Autosync. In the event of a PC failure, I can access these items from any web browser. I don't miss a beat while working to get my PC back online.

It is possible to sync both ways between Outlook and Yahoo. Since I use Outlook as my primary organizer (the only place I make changes), I only sync in one direction (from Outlook to Yahoo).

Yahoo Autosync currently supports Outlook, Outlook Express and Palm Desktop running on Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

Instructions

1. 

   Create a Yahoo account or log into your existing Yahoo account then view your Yahoo Calendar. Click on the sync link (toward the upper right-hand side of the screen).

2. 

   Carefully read the text then click Install Now.

3. 

   Carefully read the text then click I Accept (assuming you do) at the bottom of the screen.

4. 

   Click Save to save the file to your PC.

   Make note of the file name and where you put the file on your computer. You may need this location later.

   I used Mozilla Firefox as my browser in this example. If you're using a different browser, this step will look different for you.

5. 

   Click Run to begin the install.

   If you do not see this screen after the download completes, go to the location noted in Step 4 above and double click on the file name.

6. 

   The install wizard begins click Next.

7. 

   The Yahoo Autosync installation completed successfully click Finish.

   At this point, Autosync is installed but not configured to synchronize. We'll do that in the remaining steps.

8. 

   You should now have a Yahoo Autosync icon in your system tray.

9. 

   Click on the Autosync icon and select Preferences.

10. 

    The main settings screen is for Outlook Express. None of the boxes should be checked. Click on Advanced Settings.

11. 

    Don't let this scare you. Click Yes to continue.

12. 

    The first thing I do is deselect the box for Tasks. I use a lot of reoccurring tasks in Outlook. Unfortunately, ALL the reoccurring tasks populate into Yahoo (hundreds of them!). As a result, I do not sync them.

    If you don't use reoccurring tasks, you can synchronize them.

13. 

    The setup screens for Calendar, Contacts and Notes are similar. As a result, I'll walk through the Calendar setup only.

    Select Calendar then click Setup.

14. 

    Select Microsoft Outlook then click Next.

15. 

    Select "one-way sync TO Yahoo!".

    Deselect the "Replace all data in the target application." checkbox. If you leave this box checked, it will completely delete the entries from Yahoo and re-add them every time it syncs. It adds significant time onto the sync process.

    Click Next

16. 

    If you have multiple Outlook profiles on your PC, select the profile you want to sync.

    I choose to only transfer future items and remove the alarm for any past items.

    Click Next.

17. 

    The Yahoo Autosync configuration completed successfully. Click Finish

18. 

    This screen will pop up after you click Finish in the previous step.

    Choose automatic or manual synchronization. I like using manual synchronization so I can control when data is copied. If you choose the same approach, you have to remember to regularly do the manual synchronization. Otherwise, select Yes to have Outlook updates sent to Yahoo automatically.

    Click Finish

19. 

    Click on the Autosync icon and select Yahoo! ID and Password. Set Autosync to log into your Yahoo account automatically.

20. 

    Click on the Autosync icon and select Sync Now. You will see the synchronization begin.

21. 

    The Outlook and Yahoo synchronization has completed successfully.

22. You're finished! Check your Yahoo Calendar, Contacts and Notes to verify the items have been copied.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many ways to backup your personal information management data. This is just one.

• An added feature; there's a share option on Yahoo that will let others view your calendar. The share option is off by default.

• These tasks are not meant to be a replacement for regular, full backups of your PC data.

• This does not sync your email inbox! It syncs Calendar, Contacts and Notes only.