Not too clear on what you're describing but here's a possible solution to a
common problem....

Right click the Public Contacts folder and Properties, Outlook Address Book,
tick the box to show as an address book.  Now the Contact Look-up window and
the To... function will look in the Public folder.

Judy Gleeson
Acorn Training and Consulting
"we're nuts about Outlook"

www.acorntraining.com.au