outlook 2011 for mac sync pending

Have you installed all the patches?  There are now a few available since the release of El Capitan.  Apparently, 14.5.6 deals with the issue explicitly.

I did a "check for updates" on my mac AND in Outlook and it says there are no updates.  I am running OXS 10.11.3

Where do I get the patches from?

What version shows in the "About Outlook" window?  Mine shows "14.6.0".  I have no issues synchronizing accounts.

To get the new updates, simply invoke Microsoft Auto update or go to Microsoft's website and search under Office for mac 2011.
Outlook-version.png

I have the same 14.6.0.
I have it on auto-update weekly.

I don't know when updates were done.  Have been fighting with Outlook since Friday when we made the switch.  So far, not a fan at all.

I would still try the account removal and re-creation process to see if it helps.

What type of account is the one in question?  Is it an Exchange account?  If so, which version of server do you have?

Account type is ms exchange.  I have a TON of folders and subfolders. Not sure of the easiest way to back them up...

I will try Yogeshnmakwana's suggestion the next time it gets hung up.  So far so good.  Maybe all I needed to do was complain.  : )

Tim - Nothing was selected when I went to the folder list so I guess that is good.  Stupid question. I was told to make sure my folders get put in my inbox and NOT under "on my computer" because if I put them in my Inbox, then they would be saved on cloud.  

See screenshot for some of my folders in the inbox.
http://screencast.com/t/1uHIqxJyDMM
http://screencast.com/t/i00ALyvbQ

Yet, when I view email on webmail link, I do not see any folders.

Yogeshnmakwana - when site was pending syncing I followed your steps but there was no Sync Services Agent under Process Name.

Tim - Nothing was selected when I went to the folder list so I guess that is good.  Stupid question. I was told to make sure my folders get put in my inbox and NOT under "on my computer" because if I put them in my Inbox, then they would be saved on cloud.  

I would avoid nesting folders in the Inbox.  Outlook 2011 was not built to work that way.  Instead, make them peers of the Inbox.  They are still on the server, just not nested.

To do this, drag one folder at a time from the Inbox and place it over the account's parent folder (parent of the Inbox).  The folder will then be placed in alphabetical order at the same level as the Inbox.

Check out my article on Outlook 2011 for more info:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/12294/MS-Outlook-2011-Mac-Exchange.html

Ah much better.  That was how I had it setup on mac mail and I actually prefer it this way.  With MS Exchange I have one parent folder which contains inbox, drafts, sent items, deleted items, junk and all the folders I just moved.  But, I also have a second parent folder which is kinda confusing.  This one is called "on my computer" and it contains  inbox, drafts, sent items, deleted items, junk.  Do you know what that is for?  Additionally, not sure what Smart Folders are.  See screen shot.

http://screencast.com/t/LMEHJZAjf8Wi

"On My Computer" represents all the mail that is stored locally.  In effect, it is the equivalent of a local PST on a PC.

None of the emails, calendar items, etc. contained in "On My Computer" will be available to the server, which means that using, say, a webmail connection to your server will not see the local data.

The best use for the local store is pretty much the same on the PC:  archiving stuff that needs to be moved off of the server, usually for space reasons.

Smart folders are searches, if I recall.  I have never used them but basically, I think they will show a collection of items that match the criteria of your search.  No mail is actually moved from its original location.

makes sense - thanks again!

You are welcome.  :-)