the old - first name first - in address book - contacts "to" box issue

[Jack Folliard]

OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my address
book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went through the
"email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact options/new
contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync contacts
between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as far as I can
tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but the notebook does
not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.

 

[Jack Folliard]

yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort last,
first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I just
loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my address
book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went through the
"email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact options/new
contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync contacts
between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as far as I can
tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but the notebook
does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First. That
setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not existing ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort last,
first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I
just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order
there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my address
book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went through the
"email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact options/new
contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync contacts
between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as far as I
can tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but the
notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Jack Folliard]

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or address
books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled "Microsoft
Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the bottom
of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right button -
"File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all 6 of the
address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display last,
first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I click
the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the address
book itself (not the contacts folder)
..

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack

Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not existing
ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort last,
first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I
just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order
there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact
options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync contacts
between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as far as I
can tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but the
notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Jack Folliard]

additionally, when checking individual contacts by opening them - the File
As: field IS displaying in last, first order.

Jack

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or address
books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled "Microsoft
Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right button -
"File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all 6 of the
address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display last,
first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I click
the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the address
book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack

Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not existing
ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I
just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order
there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact
options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as
far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but
the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Do you really have 6 different Contacts Folders that you have enabled as
email address books? If not, you probably have a corrupt OAB service. Remove
it. Restart Outlook. Re-add it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or address
books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled "Microsoft
Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right button -
"File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all 6 of the
address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display last,
first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I click
the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the address
book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack

Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not existing
ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I
just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order
there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact
options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as
far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but
the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Jack Folliard]

yes - I do have 6 contacts folders all enabled as address books. Seemed like
a handy way to approach things - I need separate somethings to track
different organizations.

I don't know how to remove OAB service or what that is? Please advise.

Why do you suppose everything works correctly on the desktop, but exact
duplicate contact/address books and settings don't work on the notebook?

Thanks.

Do you really have 6 different Contacts Folders that you have enabled as
email address books? If not, you probably have a corrupt OAB service.
Remove it. Restart Outlook. Re-add it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or address
books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled "Microsoft
Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right button -
"File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all 6 of the
address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display
last, first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I
click the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the
address book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack

Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not
existing ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as I
mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook - I
just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort order
there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the options/contact
options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each (as
far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first perfectly - but
the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Jack Folliard]

SUCCESS! I fiddled and fiddled and guess what? Finally, after making
changes and restarting Outlook several times without any success - I simply
REBOOTED my computer (hadn't had a reason to do that in last day or so)!!

Never dawned on me that you would have to reboot to have the last, first
change take effect. Does that make sense to you, Russ?

Anyway, thanks for all your help.

Jack

yes - I do have 6 contacts folders all enabled as address books. Seemed
like a handy way to approach things - I need separate somethings to track
different organizations.

I don't know how to remove OAB service or what that is? Please advise.

Why do you suppose everything works correctly on the desktop, but exact
duplicate contact/address books and settings don't work on the notebook?

Thanks.

Do you really have 6 different Contacts Folders that you have enabled as
email address books? If not, you probably have a corrupt OAB service.
Remove it. Restart Outlook. Re-add it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled
"Microsoft Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right
button - "File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all
6 of the address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display
last, first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I
click the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the
address book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack



Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not
existing ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as
I mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook -
I just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories
or address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort
order there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the
options/contact options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each
(as far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first
perfectly - but the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Because you have a corrupt Outlook Address Book Service.
Remove it.
Restart Outlook.
Re-add it using the instructions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;287563&Product=ol2002
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

yes - I do have 6 contacts folders all enabled as address books. Seemed
like a handy way to approach things - I need separate somethings to track
different organizations.

I don't know how to remove OAB service or what that is? Please advise.

Why do you suppose everything works correctly on the desktop, but exact
duplicate contact/address books and settings don't work on the notebook?

Thanks.

Do you really have 6 different Contacts Folders that you have enabled as
email address books? If not, you probably have a corrupt OAB service.
Remove it. Restart Outlook. Re-add it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled
"Microsoft Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right
button - "File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all
6 of the address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display
last, first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I
click the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the
address book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack



Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File As...
fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in Last, First
order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not
existing ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last 2
hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as
I mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new notebook -
I just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories
or address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort
order there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the
options/contact options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each
(as far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first
perfectly - but the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You don't have to reboot the computer. You only have to restart Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

SUCCESS! I fiddled and fiddled and guess what? Finally, after making
changes and restarting Outlook several times without any success - I
simply REBOOTED my computer (hadn't had a reason to do that in last day or
so)!!

Never dawned on me that you would have to reboot to have the last, first
change take effect. Does that make sense to you, Russ?

Anyway, thanks for all your help.

Jack

yes - I do have 6 contacts folders all enabled as address books. Seemed
like a handy way to approach things - I need separate somethings to track
different organizations.

I don't know how to remove OAB service or what that is? Please advise.

Why do you suppose everything works correctly on the desktop, but exact
duplicate contact/address books and settings don't work on the notebook?

Thanks.

Do you really have 6 different Contacts Folders that you have enabled as
email address books? If not, you probably have a corrupt OAB service.
Remove it. Restart Outlook. Re-add it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Here's what it shows:

Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories or
address books > Outlook Address Book > Change >up pops a box entitled
"Microsoft Office Outlook Address Book"

I have 6 address books with my main one entitled "Contacts". At the
bottom of this box are two buttons under "Show names by" -
left button - "First Last (JohnSmith)" is unchecked - the right
button - "File As (Smith, John) IS checked. This is the setting for all
6 of the address books. Only one button can be checked at a time.

This is the same setup as on my desktop which does correctly display
last, first in both the contacts folder and address book views.

When I display the Contacts folder (as well as the other contacts type
folders) all names ARE listed in last, first order, BUT, not when I
click the "To" button when composing new emails, nor when I open up the
address book itself (not the contacts folder)
.

Now can you see why I'm confused, baffled and befuddled??

Thanks for sticking with me!

Jack



Examine the options for sorting the Outlook Address Book. They are:
1. First, Last
2. File As...
(There is no number 3: Last, First)
The conclusion I would draw from your claim that is that the File
As... fields in the Contacts Folder you are displaying are not in
Last, First order. Are they?
You mentioned that you set the File As... field option to Last, First.
That setting is irrelevant. It only applies to new Contacts, not
existing ones.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
yep - it is the most posted - but - having worked at it for the last
2 hours - I simply cannot get my contacts in the address book to sort
last, first.

I've followed the below steps many times to no avail.

Sorry, but it just isn't working for me - what's baffling is that, as
I mentioned, my desktop sorts appropriately, but not my new
notebook - I just loaded OL 2003 on it a week ago and copy my PST
file to it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Jack

This is the most frequently posted question in this group.
Go to Tools > E-mail accounts > View or change existing directories
or address books > Outlook Address Book > Change. > Set your sort
order there
Be sure to restart Outlook to see your changes.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
OL2003

I give up - I've followed all the methods (I think) to change my
address book to show contacts last names first to no avail. I went
through the "email accounts" process, and changed the
options/contact options/new contacts to last, first.

Nothing seems to work.

Now here's the kicker - I have a desktop and notebook and sync
contacts between them. The settings are exactly the same on each
(as far as I can tell) - the desktop displays last, first
perfectly - but the notebook does not.

I'm stumped? I'm hoping the all-time Outlook expert Sue Mosher is
"listening"!!

Thanks.

Jack