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Sync

Because Entourage stores the info in a database you cannot sync one database with another without rewriting the entire database. What you choose to do, depends on how often you feel the need to update.

March 14 2006: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.2.3 Update adds Sync Services.

See FAQs for Sync Services here

Options to Sync:

  1. Copy entire Identity folder from one computer to another.
  2. Use an IMAP account ...best option
  3. Mail received only
  4. Mail sent
  5. Use Export-Import script to sync Address Book...for pre 11.2.3 versions
  6. Sync Entourage Address Book to Apple's Address Book...for pre 11.2.3 versions
  7. Sync Entourage-iCal...for pre 11.2.3 versions
  8. Sync across multiple desktops
  9. Sync Services for Entourage 2004 calendar, address book, notes and tasks
  10. Use an external drive for Microsoft User Data folder...good option
  11. Third Party Option: Plaxo Toolbar for Mac (free and pro options)...also good for restoring data
  12. Syncing calendars on a lan: third party option SyncTogether
  13. Use Entourage Sync Services, iCal, Address Book and .mac

Also see:

Address Book

  1. Synchronize contacts across multiple desktops

Mobile Phones:

  1. Sync with Mobile phone

1) Duplicating the Identity folder and replacing it on the other computers only works if you have a primary computer. This method breaks down if you are constantly switching computers.

2) I suggest getting an IMAP account. Simply put, a POP account downloads all new mail from the server to the user's computer. In an IMAP account, everything is kept on the server. This is especially useful if you use several computers and/or travel. Your local ISP might not offer IMAP so you might have to shop around. (Recommended as easiest option)

http://www.ii.com/internet/messaging/imap/isps/

3) To keep incoming messages synced, you can select to leave mail on server so all incoming mail can be downloaded to each computer. The problem with this is it doesn't take into consideration what you do with that message.

4) You can BCC yourself on all sent mail.

5) Export-Import Entourage for Entourage X and 2001...Export and import almost everything ó Contacts, Groups, Calendar Events, Tasks, Notes, Messages, Folders, Accounts, Signatures, Mailing Lists and Categories. You can import/export between all versions of Entourage, Outlook, Palm Desktop and other PIMs.

6) Sync Entourage-Address Book 2...synchronizes Entourage and Apple's Address Book in OS 10.3 (Panther). It has been upgraded to use the new features of Entourage 2004, but will continue to work as an update in Entourage X as well.

7) Sync Entourage-iCal synchronizes Entourage 2004 and iCal. It allows you to maintain Entourage as your centralized Personal Information Manager while at the same time taking advantage of the direct access provided to iSync, iChat, iPod, .Mac online, and more by OS X's iCal.

8) Synchronize across multiple desktops. You can do this with a shared project in Entourage 2004 or higher. Previous versions don't have this ability, though.

9) March 14 2006: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.2.3 Update

After you install this update, you can use Mac OS X Sync Services and Spotlight searches to sync and find Entourage items, use smart cards with Entourage 2004, and enjoy improved overall security and stability when using Microsoft Word 2004, Excel 2004, PowerPoint 2004, and Entourage 2004.

Note: If you apply the updater on a pre-Tiger version of the OS, it will not work. (Mac OS 10.4 or higher is required). Updating to Tiger at a later date requires you to re-install the Office updater to get the required files installed.

Download latest updaters here

10) Use an external drive for Microsoft User Data folder with alias in Documents folder.

One user explains how they use this method:

I keep my Microsoft User Data folder on an external pocket firewire drive (a large capacity USB thumb-drive will suffice if both machines have USB 2.0) and just keep aliases to it in my Documents folder of all the machines I use Entourage on (laptop, desktop and occasionally other machines I sit down in front of for a few hours). Works like a charm and gives me an identical environment on every machine.

You must quit the Microsoft Database daemon in order to eject the drive.

11. Third Party Option: Plaxo Toolbar for Mac (free and pro options)

Plaxo for Mac does not directly synchronize with Entourage. However, through OS X Sync Services (version 10.4 and higher only) you can configure Entourage (version 11.2.3 or higher) to synchronize with your OS X Address Book, which then synchronizes with Plaxo.

Plaxo Online ...Access your Calendar and Contacts on the web.

Plaxo Basic is Plaxo’s core service and is free to everyone who joins. No fee to join.

Plaxo Premium includes a duplicate contact remover, unlimited Premium eCards, assisted data recovery, VIP support and mobile access to your contacts and calendar.

12. Syncing calendars on a lan: third party option SyncTogether

One Entourage talk user reports: I do it with SyncTogether, but you have to do it through iCal.

I am running Mac OS 10.4.10 on an iMac Intel Core 2 Duo and a MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo.

Set Entourage's preferences on both Macs to sync your Entourage calendar with iCal (and Entourage Address Book with Address Book.app, if you like). You need to run SyncTogether on both Macs. One is configured as a server, and the other as a client, but SyncTogether can be set on either/both Macs to any combination of push/pull data.

  • Mac 1 Entourage calendar <-> Mac 1 iCal <->
  • Mac 1 SyncTogether <-> Mac 2 <->
  • Mac 2 SyncTogether <-> Mac 2 iCal <-> Mac 2 Entourage calendar

It is VERY powerful, so make backups of your iCal and Address Books data before you do your sync.

13. Use Entourage Sync Services, iCal, Address Book and .mac to keep your data synced.

  1. Get a .mac account
  2. Set up Entourage to sync with iCal and Address Book using Sync Services
  3. “share” and/or “publish” your calendar, contacts (and bookmarks) using System Preferences for .mac.

Now you can access and change calendar and contact info from your MacBook (or any computer, if you "share"), and Entourage will be kept in sync.

User reports: I find this works most of the time; I use it to keep calendar, address books and bookmarks in sync across ten Macs and to check from any computer anywhere. Once in a while the information won't update properly from iCal to .Mac, so I have to do a forced resync from System Preferences or an "unpublish/republish" sequence in iCal. But it's the best solution I've found so far.