# Help untangling issue with Contacts in Outlook 2016

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-untangling-issue-with-contacts-in-outlook-2016/769045>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 19, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-untangling-issue-with-contacts-in-outlook-2016/769045 "2016-10-19T18:04:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-untangling-issue-with-contacts-in-outlook-2016/769045/1 "2016-10-19T18:04:57Z")

</div>

How do I create and populate a Contacts folder in my main account, when one does not exist?

I have multiple accounts in Outlook. My primary account is a personal POP account. At one time it had a Contacts list. I did some cleanup of old .pst files, and following the cleanup (possibly coincidentally) my contacts disappeared, although the calendar and email folders are all still intact.

I discovered Contacts in an archive folder. I tried to copy the the Contacts from the archive folder to the main account, and it allowed me to do the copy but when I click on the little Contacts icon at the bottom of the left panel, the list of Contact folders still does not include one in that main account.

I went into Accounts and then Data Files, and noticed that the default data file was set to my Microsoft Exchange account for work, rather than my personal account. I changed it, and now when I click on the Contacts icon I get the mail folders, instead of a Contacts folder. So I changed it back.

So I am still trying to figure out how to create and populate a Contacts folder in my main account.