Lotus Notes is a popular email and collaboration software that has been widely used in organizations for many years. However, over time, Lotus Notes can develop issues that prevent it from functioning correctly. One common issue that users encounter is the “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error. This error typically occurs when there is an issue with the view configuration in Lotus Notes. In this article, we will explore some solutions to fix this error, including using Stellar Converter for NSF.
The “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error occurs when Lotus Notes is unable to find a specific view that is required to display the contacts list. This view is typically referred to as the “($Contacts)” view, and it is used to display all of the contacts in the Lotus Notes address book. If this view is missing or corrupted, Lotus Notes will display the error message “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view.”
So, now comes the big question – how to fix the “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error?
There are several ways to fix the “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error in Lotus Notes. Below are some possible solutions.
If the “($Contacts)” view is missing or corrupted, you can recreate it by following these steps:
- Open Lotus Notes and go to the Workspace.
- Select “File” and then “Database.”
- Select “Open” and browse to the “names.nsf” file in the Lotus Notes data directory.
- In the “names.nsf” file, select “View” from the menu, and then choose “Go to” from the drop-down.
- Type “($Contacts)” in the field and press Enter.
- If the view does not exist, select “Create” from the menu and choose “View” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “View Name” field, enter “($Contacts).”
- In the “Selection Condition” field, enter the following formula: Select Form = “Person.”
- Click “OK” to create the view.
Restore the “names.nsf” file from a backup
If the “($Contacts)” view is still missing or corrupted after recreating it, you can try restoring the “names.nsf” file from a backup. This will replace the current file with a previous version that may not have the same issues.
Delete and recreate the “names.nsf” file
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you can try deleting and recreating the “names.nsf” file. To do this, follow these steps:
- Close Lotus Notes and go to the Lotus Notes data directory.
- Locate the “names.nsf” file and move it to a backup location.
- Open Lotus Notes and create a new “names.nsf” file.
- Import any contacts or other data from the backup file.
All three of the above options require technical expertise and may not work well when the names.nsf file is corrupted or damaged. In such cases, consider using third-party tools like Stellar Converter for NSF.
Using Stellar Converter for NSF
Stellar Converter for NSF is a powerful tool that can help you convert your Lotus Notes data to other formats. If you are experiencing the “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error, you can use Stellar Converter for NSF to convert your contacts to a different format and then import them into Lotus Notes.
Out of the many options mentioned above, using Stellar Converter for NSF is the easiest way to fix the contacts file (names.nsf), which does not contain a required view error because of its simple user interface and powerful background processing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “Contacts (names.nsf) does not contain a required view” error can be a frustrating issue to encounter in Lotus Notes. However, by following the steps outlined above, you can resolve this error and get back to using Lotus Notes with a functioning contacts list. It is important to note that prevention is always better than cure, and regular maintenance and backup of your Lotus Notes data can help to avoid such issues in the first place. Additionally, using a tool like Stellar Converter for NSF can make the process of recovering Lotus Notes data much easier and faster. With the right approach and tools, you can ensure that your Lotus Notes data remains accessible and reliable for years to come.
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