If you want both layouts to look the same, why use two layouts at all? Save a backup copy of the original form as an .oft file, then view the compose layout and toggle the Form | Separate Read Layout option.

The errors, though, suggest that there might be other problems related to this form you inherited, issues that consolidating the layout won't solve.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.turtleflock.com/olconfig/index.htm
and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx

"Steve Worcester" wrote in message ...
(I plead complete ignorance)

I have a form I was asked to edit, don't know what it was based on.
I want the read to look exactly like the compose. I highlighted all the
labels, boxes etc and copied them from the "edit compose page" and when I
paste the to the "edit read page" I get a huge quantity of errors about can't
use this "filedname" in this item. is there an easy way to fix this?
Thanks for the understanding - Steve