After syncing with iCloud all categories of my 400 Outlook contacts were lost.

Is it possible to sync all the outlook items via iTunes/cable to my iphone and the back to my mac ?

Outlook(PC) -> iTunes(PC) -> iPhone4

and then

iPhone4 -> iMac -> iCloud

juliafromsimi wrote:

I see it as Apple's problem because they created something to work with Outlook that clearly does not. Don't tell me it will be compatible if it is not.

Outlook will not use iCloud as its default account, OK.

Then do not use Outlook.

I have a similar issue. No resolution yet. I have gone through the microsoft tech support and they explained in some technical detail why this is an apple problem.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4547312

Also surprised by lack of feedback / resolution on this forum.

lottytx wrote:

I have a similar issue. No resolution yet. I have gone through the microsoft tech support and they explained in some technical detail why this is an apple problem.

Believe as you will.But why don't you restore your backup?

Look I have read ALL your posts. If you have interest you can read the link I provided.

Regards

Solution for me was to get off iCloud and go back to manually sync.

swifferdeb:

Thanks for the feedback. Like you I ran into this problem more than a year ago for the first time and had to uninstall to work around the problem. I recently reinstalled icloud when apple rolled out iOS6. But ran head first into the same problem. Decided this time to pursue with apple tech support to the end. I had one session with apple tech support on this matter a couple days ago. They are escalating and I am waiting on a call back. I will post outcome.

swifferdeb wrote:

Solution for me was to get off iCloud and go back to manually sync.

Why are you not restoring your backup? don't you have any?

Just installed the new itunes package including icloud control panel 2.1. Retested same problem. Given this issue is known would suggests apple does not intend to fix.

iCloud contacts (and Mobile Me previously) do not support categories.

Not a bug, a feature.

You can call it want you want, but seems apple knowingly implemented iCloud panel in manner that renders a core feature of outlook useless for its users. So they broke it and they need to fix it.

Seems Microsoft’s response to this issue that this is an apple problem is on firm ground. Outlook works fine except when data moves into the icloud. Apple decided to design its iCloud software to programmatically move a user’s contacts into a separate IMAP pst that by design does not support categories rather than to just read the contact information from its original PST location. Clearly the smart developers at apple knew fully well that many Outlook users use categories and views. I mean really the views box on contacts is in the center of the HOME tab. My guess is if affected users understood this most would agree this is an apple created problem and no accident.

lottytx wrote:

You can call it want you want, but seems apple knowingly implemented iCloud panel in manner that renders a core feature of outlook useless for its users. So they broke it and they need to fix it.

Believe what you want, it doesn't affect me. Microsoft have been unable to make either version of Outlook (Mac or Windows) work with iCloud, they published a statement about it which I am sure you ignored.

Outlook has it's own cloud service, it's called Exchange, use it.

Most users do not live in the fine print. Apple should be more respectfuly of their customers.

lottytx wrote:

Most users do not live in the fine print.

Bad choices seem to be common amongst Outlook users, you have a backup for your pst files I assume.