how to customize outlook contacts auto format?

[spezticle]

When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can edit all the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code is lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a lot of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way around this.

thanks,

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should be. If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...

 

[spezticle]

Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing with my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me comfortable it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have 326 more
to go.

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should be. If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can edit all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a lot of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way around
this.

thanks,

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook 2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing with my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me comfortable it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have 326
more
to go.

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way around
this.

thanks,

 

[spezticle]

Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was already set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert. It's fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll live.
Thanks

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook 2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing with my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me comfortable it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have 326
more
to go.

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way around
this.

thanks,

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

How odd, on two counts.
So Thunderbird won't sync. How is that a solution?
Your other claim is inaccurate. Outlook does not add the country code when
you have configured it not to.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was already
set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert. It's
fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll live.
Thanks

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook 2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing
Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing with
my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when
things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me comfortable
it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have
326
more
to go.

:

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should
be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can
edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code
is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a
lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way
around
this.

thanks,

 

[spezticle]

Well, my outlook does add the country code. I'll install Fraps, record a
video to prove it so and put it up on youtube so you can see that it, in
fact, does still add the code.
and well, thunderbird wont sync with my windows mobile phone, yes, but, i
can upload the .csv version from the thunderbird export to gmail, then import
contacts from gmail to phone. it's an extra hop. but theres no country codes
lol.
I really don't think you realize how much it irritates me. and microsoft's
insatiable desire to make sure they remain is more than i can handle

How odd, on two counts.
So Thunderbird won't sync. How is that a solution?
Your other claim is inaccurate. Outlook does not add the country code when
you have configured it not to.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was already
set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert. It's
fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll live.
Thanks

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook 2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing
Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing with
my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when
things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me comfortable
it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have
326
more
to go.

:

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should
be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can
edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country code
is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a
lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way
around
this.

thanks,

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Just post accurate steps to repro your claim.
No one else has.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Well, my outlook does add the country code. I'll install Fraps, record a
video to prove it so and put it up on youtube so you can see that it, in
fact, does still add the code.
and well, thunderbird wont sync with my windows mobile phone, yes, but, i
can upload the .csv version from the thunderbird export to gmail, then
import
contacts from gmail to phone. it's an extra hop. but theres no country
codes
lol.
I really don't think you realize how much it irritates me. and
microsoft's
insatiable desire to make sure they remain is more than i can handle

How odd, on two counts.
So Thunderbird won't sync. How is that a solution?
Your other claim is inaccurate. Outlook does not add the country code
when
you have configured it not to.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was already
set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert. It's
fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll
live.
Thanks

:

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook
2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing
Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook
dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing
with
my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when
things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me
comfortable
it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've
been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have
326
more
to go.

:

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the
address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book
in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should
be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software
should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add
the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can
edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number
and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country
code
is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a
lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way
around
this.

thanks,

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I really don't think you realize how much it irritates me. and
microsoft's
insatiable desire to make sure they remain is more than i can handle

I would expect EVERY company in existence has an "insatiable desire to
remain". Would you think it logical for a company to wish to go out of
business or not capture as much market share as it can?

 

[spezticle]

"They" in my sentence isn't Microsoft the company, it is the country codes.
Microsoft's programming that doesn't allow the +1 ( and ) to be auto
inserted was what I was talking about .

My apologies for not being specific.

 

[spezticle]

First, I uncheck the option:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/1.png">
Then, I enter in a phone number:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/2.png">
Then, when I hit enter: it's inserted:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/3.png">

Just post accurate steps to repro your claim.
No one else has.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Well, my outlook does add the country code. I'll install Fraps, record a
video to prove it so and put it up on youtube so you can see that it, in
fact, does still add the code.
and well, thunderbird wont sync with my windows mobile phone, yes, but, i
can upload the .csv version from the thunderbird export to gmail, then
import
contacts from gmail to phone. it's an extra hop. but theres no country
codes
lol.
I really don't think you realize how much it irritates me. and
microsoft's
insatiable desire to make sure they remain is more than i can handle

How odd, on two counts.
So Thunderbird won't sync. How is that a solution?
Your other claim is inaccurate. Outlook does not add the country code
when
you have configured it not to.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was already
set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert. It's
fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll
live.
Thanks

:

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook
2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing
Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook
dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my syncing
with
my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive. when
things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me
comfortable
it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've
been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still have
326
more
to go.

:

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the
address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address book
in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it should
be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software
should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add
the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I can
edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number
and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country
code
is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i have a
lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a way
around
this.

thanks,

 

[spezticle]

Bah, I'm tired.
I said that wrong.

Repost:

"They" in my sentence isn't Microsoft the company, it is the country codes.
Microsoft's programming that doesn't allow the +1 ( and ) to "stop being
auto inserted was what I was talking about ."

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Let me know if you figure out how to post this information.
Solution works for everyone else. We await the proof that you are the sole
exception.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

First, I uncheck the option:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/1.png">
Then, I enter in a phone number:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/2.png">
Then, when I hit enter: it's inserted:
<img src=http://www.spezticle.com/3.png">

Just post accurate steps to repro your claim.
No one else has.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Well, my outlook does add the country code. I'll install Fraps, record
a
video to prove it so and put it up on youtube so you can see that it,
in
fact, does still add the code.
and well, thunderbird wont sync with my windows mobile phone, yes, but,
i
can upload the .csv version from the thunderbird export to gmail, then
import
contacts from gmail to phone. it's an extra hop. but theres no country
codes
lol.
I really don't think you realize how much it irritates me. and
microsoft's
insatiable desire to make sure they remain is more than i can handle

:

How odd, on two counts.
So Thunderbird won't sync. How is that a solution?
Your other claim is inaccurate. Outlook does not add the country code
when
you have configured it not to.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks again, although checking that option, i find that it was
already
set
to not add country code. So, that wont fix the +1 ( ) auto insert.
It's
fine
though, I got the answer I needed.
Thunderbird! open source. modifiable. free. It wont sync. But I'll
live.
Thanks

:

Depends on your Outlook version, which you did not post. In Outlook
2007:
Contacts Folder > Actions > Call Contact > New Call... > Dialing
Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks
Now, where might i find the options FOR outlook dialing? I
searched
through
every menu area in 'options' and found nothing about outlook
dialing.

Half of the reason I'm trying to fix this is because of my
syncing
with
my
mobile. The other half is... well, I am obsessive compulsive.
when
things
are... off, for lack of a better term, from what makes me
comfortable
it
drives me absolutely insane. I can't stop thinking about it, I've
been
manually doing them now for almost 3 hours straight and I still
have
326
more
to go.

:

First, you should never make changes to your Contacts from the
address
book
view. Only do so from the Contacts Folder. There is no address
book
in
Outlook.
Masking of phone numbers in Outlook is hard coded as well it
should
be.
If
your phone requires a different format then its sync software
should
accommodate that. Outlook must use a consistent format.
Finally, you can easily turn off the option to automatically add
the
country
code to local numbers in Outlook's Dialing Options...
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
When I open up an individual contact from my address book, I
can
edit
all
the
details. I click "Mobile..." and enter in the the phone number
and
click
okay. The lame auto formatting changes it to +1 (xxx) xxx-xxxx

This causes errors in my phones address book when I sync with
it.
I'm in America. I don't need to be reminded of what my country
code
is
lol.
I simply want it formatted xxx-xxx-xxxx
no +, no ( or )
just numbers and dashes.

Yes, I know i can manually change them all by myself but i
have a
lot
of
contacts. would take way too much time. there "HAS" to be a
way
around
this.

thanks,

 

[mrbill2u]

When I installed Blackberry Desktop Manager and performed the sync, Outlook
has mysteriously stopped adding the xxx-xxx-xxxx or (xxx) xxx-xxxx format
whenever I add a new contact. I have looked everywhere to reenable this
feature...can't find it, including Contact Folder>Action>Call Contact>New
Call>Dialing Options. Nothing seems to work. Does anyone have suggesitons?
Thanks, Bill