Microsoft Outlook Notes etc

[sghere]

Well...after spending almost 2 hours searching, I'm going to ask here.

I see that there are quite a few posts asking about whether there's an application that will sync your Outlook Notes to your handhelpd (Droid), but it doesn't appear to be any recent posts on it.

Does anyone know if any apps out there will do this? I've read how to export the Notes as a csv file, and impor them, but the syncing is what I'm really after.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Shayne

 

[nycebo]

The long and short of it is 'maybe'. CompanionLink makes a product that can sync to Outlook but I don't have any experience with the product and can't verify if it syncs notes. What I've done instead is to move all of my notes to Evernote and I use their app on the Droid to get it done. Not the sleekest or best solutions but I've gotten used to it. FWIW, note syncing didn't work on my Motorola Q from ages back either and that was a MS OS.

 

[takeshi]

Nitrodesk has a solution as well (USB sync only, IIRC).

 

[sandiegodave]

I tried the Companionlink software and it did indeed sync my Outlook Notes into my Droid very nicely, however, it also prevented my typical Contacts sync via Gmail. While Calendar continued to sync, Contacts no longer would do so. I discussed the issue with Companionlink and Motorola but nothing they suggested worked. I even tried uninstalling the Companionlink software but still the problem persisted.

I finally did a clean wipe of the phone, which necessitated reloading all of my apps, reentering all 6 of my email accounts, implementing my personal settings, and all of the other usual time consuming things.

The short of it is: Yes there is a program that will sync Outlook Notes and that product is Companionlink's software, available through the Android Market.

If they would offer a "lite" version that would ONLY sync Outlook Notes and NOTHING ELSE, I might reinstall it, because like you, I like to keep my notes handy and syncable.

 

[catoilet]

I have been frustated by this since getting the Nexus One and being new to Android. I live in Outlook. I use email, contacts, calendar, notes and tasks, all pretty heavily. I'd love to have a tool that synced them as i used to have with my Sony Ericsson smartphones. But, i keep testing stuff and keep finding gaps in functionality.

Here's my dream scenario... I think...

Emails don't get synced
Contacts get synced to Google contacts and the Nexus One (3 way sync)
Calendar gets synced to Google contacts and the Nexus One (3 way sync)
Tasks get synced to the Nexus One to a TASK application (I don't like how tasks are handled in Google Calendar, so I'd like a separate Task app)
Notes get synced to the Nexus One to a NOTE application (I don't like how notes are mapped to docs in Google's world, so I'd like a separate Note app)

I don't really see myself using Google online to manage stuff, but I do see it as a nice backup idea. So, if the sync goes through google contacts and calendar online, that would be a bonus. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be without laptop or phone and need to look up someone's info and only have access to a public computer. In that case, the sync to Google would be great.

I'd prefer a wireless sync (wifi or BT), but will deal with a USB solution if necessary.

Anyone have a lead on something out there that does all this, or gets close to it? I wasn't impressed with CompanionLink and a couple of the others.

Thanks for any ideas for this newbie!

-pat

 

[nycebo]

Pay for a Google Apps account. It will sync to Outlook.

For Tasks, you are sort of screwed since you don't like Google Tasks which syncs via gTasks. However, you could try Remember the Milk and see if you like that better.

For notes, go with Evernote, you will love it. It has grown on me and the new version for Android (any week now?) will allow offline access.

Calendar already syncs beautifully between Outlook and Google. Download the calendar sync tool from Google.

That should cover it for you.

 

[catoilet]

Does Evernote sync with Outlook? I still want outlook to be the master of Contacts, Calendar, Notes and Tasks, and the phone/Google online to be the sync target (but I can update and sync back to Outlook). With this I know I can get to everything in the one app I've been using for years... Outlook. I work offline a lot (cross country and international flights, plus areas with not good cell connection), so I run Outlook when I'm on or offline.

 

[nycebo]

Does Evernote sync with Outlook?

Sadly, no.

 

[geno55]

I am also a big Outlook user for contacts, calendar, notes and tasks to sync with my laptop and phone. The lack of notes and tasks on Android is a big dissapointment. So, I made a new contact called "Note/Tasks" so it will sync on my phone and laptop. It is not as handy as on my old Windows Mobile phone but it gets the job done for me. I had to put my cellphone number in the contact so that it will list on phone contacts and I use the notes section to add notes/tasks. But they all sync on Google contacts, Outlook contacts and my phone.

 

[Flahusky]

There was one mention of Nitrodesk, they have a great exchange product called TouchDown . Works well you get a 5 day demo to make sure it meets your needs.

 

[AdamG]

yep, you want touchdown and a $5/month exchange account

 

[nycebo]

I had to put my cellphone number in the contact so that it will list on phone contacts and I use the notes section to add notes/tasks. But they all sync on Google contacts, Outlook contacts and my phone.

Actually, you don't. While in contacts, just press the menu button, settings, and change the setting so that your address book lists even those contacts without a telephone number.

 

[negreenfield]

I also use Touchdown for Outlook Email, Calendar, and Task syncing. I believe they are looking into adding the Notes syncing at some point in the future.

 

[catoilet]

I sent a message to the guys who make Touchdown and they said it wouldn't work for me. It could be that I'm not using Exchange. I just use stand-alone Outlook that pulls emails from Pop servers.

The idea of creating a contact for Tasks and Notes is a decent workaround, but I'd lose some outlook functionality like Task reminders. Really, I can't believe there isn't an android product out there that syncs all the outlook stuff. Other phones and phone OSs have done this for years!

 

[AdamG]

There are services that do what you guys want, but most of them are going to want money for it. Sorry but you should have done more research before choosing a phone.

There is a service in Android Market called MyLink. Search for "outlook" and you will probably find it if its in your Market. Don't know how much it costs or how well it works.

There is an Exchange host for members of xda developers forum called Geztek. it's no longer free, but $5/month. He allows syncing with your pc version of Outlook. xda-developers - News - Free Exchange Push Mail Server W/ Exch. Over Https And Alias's!
Combine it with the Touchdown app.
Mail2web is another $5 exchange service, but they don't allow syncing to your desktop outlook for that price. Email Hosting Services | Pick Up Your Email | mail2web.com

Next choice is to use gSyncit to sync with Gmail/Gapps and Outlook. gSyncit is $15 and works great. Use it with one of the gDocs notepad sync apps on from market to sync notes with outlook. http://www.daveswebsite.com/software/gsync/

 

[catoilet]

AdamG,

I never said I was against paying for an app or service, but it would need to cover all my needs to make it worth paying for. I've yet to find the app that does what I've had working for free on all my Sony Ericsson phones for many years now.

And, I did research this phone to death before buying it. I like many of the things this phone can do, but just trying to solve the biggest functionality gap I have found. And, since this is an app issue, I figured it was still worth buying the phone and hope that a developer would make the perfect Outlook sync app soon after the release of the phone. There seems to be many attempts (you have listed most of them), but there's still nothing that does what I want...

Stand-along Outlook syncing with the Nexus one
Including Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes.

CompanionLink comes close, but I don't like the way the calendar sync works. I'd rather it sync to the built-in calendar app.

So, still hunting for the perfect app...

-pat

 

[FlySR22]

"There is a service in Android Market called MyLink. Search for "outlook" and you will probably find it if its in your Market.

Don't know how much it costs or how well it works."

It's about $15 and it doesn't work...

 

[rjoudrey]

Google Apps is the only way to go. There is presently no task support. The lack of Outlook support is a serious one but I am happy with Google apps. Works like Blackberry server, really seamless except no tasks.

 

[rjoudrey]

Just found this:

Outlook Notes, Tasks, and Journal - Gmail Help

 

[rjoudrey]

If you want to keep Android you will have to do a work around. What type of tasks/notes are you keeping?

 

[FlySR22]

If you want to keep Android you will have to do a work around. What type of tasks/notes are you keeping?

I have many tasks, some of them recurrent, some personal, some business, all under different categories.

Notes include stuff like my airport gate code (keeps changing), info on icing potential (I'm a pilot)

I'm hoping "MySpace" will finally come out with Tasks/Notes support.

 

[rjoudrey]

I have many tasks, some of them recurrent, some personal, some business, all under different categories.

Notes include stuff like my airport gate code (keeps changing), info on icing potential (I'm a pilot)

I'm hoping "MySpace" will finally come out with Tasks/Notes support.

A lot of information can be kept in the notes area of contact information. Other time related information can be kept as appointments.

Not a great help I am sure.

Evernote has a online component. I use AK Notepad for general lists but not in Outlook.

 

[rjoudrey]

You can create another calendar in Google called tasks color coded another color and keep all time related tasks there.

Trying to get the other calendar to sync right now.

 

[FlySR22]

A lot of information can be kept in the notes area of contact information. Other time related information can be kept as appointments.

Not a great help I am sure.

Evernote has a online component. I use AK Notepad for general lists but not in Outlook.

I have two special contacts in Outlook. One called A Task and the other A Notes. I tried this for tasks and notes that I wanted mobile, but it just doesn't work as well as being able to completly sync Outlook and being "automatic".

For now I'm using "Note Everything" on the road since I have choice of typing in notes/tasks, writing them in with your finger, or using a voice recorder. I also used AK Notepad for awhile but found Note Everything more versital and I can eliminate one Icon (Voice Recorder)

 

[rjoudrey]

Google apps will sync calendar, mail and contacts with outlook and android.