HELP - Contacts Name Listing and Order

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jerry@slochtf.org - 18 Oct 2006 01:51 GMT

For some reason, Outlook has changed the order of all the names in my
Contacts file. I have always set my default "Full Name" and "File As"
orders as First Last.

Today for some unkown reason, Outlook decided to change all of my
contacts and their order to Last, First.

(It's probably another undocumented "feature" that was included in a
recent software update.) :(

Now how do I change my all of my Contacts back to First Last?

We have more than 1,000 Contacts, so doing it one at a time is not an
option.

Thanks for the help.

Jerry

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 18 Oct 2006 03:24 GMT

You failed even to mention the view or version to which you are referring.
As far as I know, Outlook never just does things randomly and for no reason.
There is a user involved here.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> For some reason, Outlook has changed the order of all the names in my
> Contacts file. I have always set my default "Full Name" and "File As"
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Jerry

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Anonymous - 20 Oct 2006 06:09 GMT

My problem is that the "File as" order for the First and Last Names of
all the people in my Contact databases has switched from "First Last"
to "Last, First" and I want to change them back.

The switch in name order occurred on three computers simultaneously -
two using Outlook 2003 and the other 2002. The first two are on my
office network and the third is my home computer, which is not
connected to the other two. The switch applied to multiple Contact
Folders used by the office computers.

The switch in name order occured in the Address Card view, the Address
List view and the Detailed Card view. The name order in the "File as"
column of the Phone List view was also switched.

Can anyone tell me how to switch the "File as" name order from "Last,
First" to "First Last" for all of my Contacts?

Thanks.

>You failed even to mention the view or version to which you are referring.
>As far as I know, Outlook never just does things randomly and for no reason.
>There is a user involved here.

Reply to this Message

Anonymous - 20 Oct 2006 06:17 GMT

BTW, I followed the instructions in the help file. Doing so did not
switch the name order back to what I originally had.

- Change how contacts are filed
- Change how all contacts are filed
- On the Tools menu, click Options.
- Click Contact Options.
- In the Default "File As" order list, click the option you want.

>You failed even to mention the view or version to which you are referring.
>As far as I know, Outlook never just does things randomly and for no reason.
>There is a user involved here.

Reply to this Message

Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 20 Oct 2006 11:14 GMT

Of course not. Those settings only apply to new Contacts, not existing ones.
You must run code to change the order for existing Contacts:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291144&Product=ol2002

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> BTW, I followed the instructions in the help file. Doing so did not
> switch the name order back to what I originally had.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>reason.
>>There is a user involved here.

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jerry@slochtf.org - 20 Oct 2006 20:21 GMT

So, Russ, you implied in response to my initial request for help that
I did something stupid to switch the "File as" name order for all of
my Outlook contacts.

Now, however, you say that the only way to switch the "File as" name
order back to the way it was before is to write and execute a program.

I think you should engage your brain in the future, before responding
with your snide and condescending remarks.

>Of course not. Those settings only apply to new Contacts, not existing ones.
>You must run code to change the order for existing Contacts:
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291144&Product=ol2002

Reply to this Message

Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 20 Oct 2006 21:39 GMT

Your first post was unintelligible because you provided no information. We
didn't even know to what view you were referring (and it matters greatly).
We also don't know who is making the subsequent posts since they are made
with a different name.
Rest assured, Outlook does not go changing the File As... fields of your
Contact records all by itself. User interaction is required for that.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> So, Russ, you implied in response to my initial request for help that
> I did something stupid to switch the "File as" name order for all of
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>You must run code to change the order for existing Contacts:
>>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291144&Product=ol2002

Reply to this Message

Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook] - 20 Oct 2006 22:05 GMT

No, all Russ said was the "Outlook never just does things randomly and for no reason...there is a user involved here."

The assignment of the adjective was all yours, my friend. And, Russ is absolutely correct - if more people thought before they posted and included things that would speed the troubleshooting process, like Outlook version, account type and mail support mode. I suggest you keep that in mind the next time you ask for volunteer assistance with your Outlook problems.

Signature

Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, jerry@slochtf.org asked:

| So, Russ, you implied in response to my initial request for help that
| I did something stupid to switch the "File as" name order for all of
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
|| Contacts:
|| http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291144&Product=ol2002

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