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How to clean up Outlook's Forms Cache

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› Developer › Custom Forms › How to clean up Outlook’s Forms Cache

Last reviewed on October 1, 2015     7 Comments

When you receive the message

The form required to view this message cannot be displayed. Contact your administrator

It usually means that you need to clean Outlook's forms cache.

To clear the forms cache in Outlook 2010 and newer, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Filemenu, Options.
  2. Click Advanced.
  3. Click Custom Forms.
  4. Click Manage Forms.
    clear the forms cache in Outlook 2010 and newer
  5. Click Clear Cache.
  6. Restart Outlook.

To clear the forms cache in Outlook 2007 and older, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Tools menu, Options.
  2. Click the Other tab, and then Advanced Options.
  3. Click Custom Forms.
  4. Click Manage Forms.
    Forms dialog
  5. Click Clear Cache.
  6. Restart Outlook.

If that doesn't work, delete the Forms Cache Files.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Locate the Forms folder. In Windows 7, 8 or Vista, its at C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\FORMS
  3. Delete all the frmcache.dat file and folders that are in the Forms folder. You'll have one folder for each custom form you have installed. If you haven't created custom forms, you won't have any folders here.
  4. Re-open Outlook.

cache files in Windows Explorer

When you restart Outlook, and use a form Outlook will automatically reinstall the form, recreating the forms cache and index.

For a shortcut to the Forms folder, copy, then paste the following line in the address bar of Windows Explorer in Windows 7, 8, Vista:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Forms

or in Windows XP:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Forms

path in address bar

How to clean up Outlook's Forms Cache was last modified: October 1st, 2015 by Diane Poremsky
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About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

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Neil (@guest_199136)
June 4, 2016 8:49 pm
#199136

Tried both methods, but neither one worked. After deleting the frmcache.dat file and folders that are in the Forms folder, and making sure they were deleted by refreshing the folder, which was completely empty, I restarted outlook, opened a form, and still got the same message.

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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Neil
June 6, 2016 1:27 pm
#199159

What controls are on the form? I've seen some forms error due to controls (including the category control) - removing the control and republishing it allowed the form to open. Also, make sure that email security is set to allow scripts if you are in a folder outside of your own Exchange mailbox - this is in the trust center.

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James Burge (@guest_198249)
April 27, 2016 7:48 am
#198249

WONDERFUL! This was the PERFECT resolution! Thank you!

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Ileana Mendoza (@guest_196655)
February 22, 2016 1:12 pm
#196655

Thanks, it solved my issue. I can open the forms in both versions of Outlook, 2010 and 2007

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Bryan (@guest_188110)
December 11, 2014 4:56 pm
#188110

The second method worked for me in Office 2010. Thanks!

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Pushpraj (@guest_187704)
November 19, 2014 11:54 pm
#187704

Thanks! Worked for me.

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Sam (@guest_179560)
September 26, 2013 4:35 pm
#179560

Spot on. This resolved an issue that was driving me crazy and I never would have figured out on my own. Thanks.

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