Outlook 2003 "File As" issues

[Poorrichguy]

I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I create a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first." IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print the label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as" options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

 

[Poorrichguy]

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I create a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first." IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as" options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Poorrichguy]

Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions... but why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton. Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson. Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook will not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I create a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first." IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as" options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

It will have nothing to do with your mail merge issues.
You have not specified where it is you want your Contacts sorted nor your
default settings for the File As field.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions... but
why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton.
Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson.
Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook will
not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail
merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a
mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with
this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I create
a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first."
IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually
change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of
them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it
will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as"
options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Poorrichguy]

Thanks Russ. But when outlook insists on putting last names first and
treating them like first names, it has a lot to do with the resulting image
on an envelope or label.
I finally got the problem figured out, thanks to midnight musings.
If anyone else has outlook reversing and not filing as ordered in "File As"
I might be able to help. First, don't fight outlooks default for first last.
Go with first last. That may require going back into the "Tools- Email
Accounts- Directory- Change- View or change Directory. Next. Change.
Contacts. First last. Finish. Close and Restart Outlook. "
After making sure that the trooublesome contact entry is correct in the Full
Name Dialogue box, delete the entire name in the Full Name Field. Save and
close. RE-Open contact. Make sure full Name Dialogue box still has the first
name and last names correct. Then, in the File As Field, delete the entry and
retype the first and last name. Save and Close.

It will have nothing to do with your mail merge issues.
You have not specified where it is you want your Contacts sorted nor your
default settings for the File As field.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions... but
why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton.
Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson.
Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook will
not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail
merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a
mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with
this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I create
a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first."
IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually
change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of
them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it
will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as"
options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Not quite. The settings you refer to only affect the Outlook Address Book.
They have nothing to do with the File As... field in the Contacts Folder.
That setting is in Tools > Options > Preferences > Contact Options... > and
will apply to any new Contact you create.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ. But when outlook insists on putting last names first and
treating them like first names, it has a lot to do with the resulting
image
on an envelope or label.
I finally got the problem figured out, thanks to midnight musings.
If anyone else has outlook reversing and not filing as ordered in "File
As"
I might be able to help. First, don't fight outlooks default for first
last.
Go with first last. That may require going back into the "Tools- Email
Accounts- Directory- Change- View or change Directory. Next. Change.
Contacts. First last. Finish. Close and Restart Outlook. "
After making sure that the trooublesome contact entry is correct in the
Full
Name Dialogue box, delete the entire name in the Full Name Field. Save and
close. RE-Open contact. Make sure full Name Dialogue box still has the
first
name and last names correct. Then, in the File As Field, delete the entry
and
retype the first and last name. Save and Close.

It will have nothing to do with your mail merge issues.
You have not specified where it is you want your Contacts sorted nor your
default settings for the File As field.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions...
but
why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton.
Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson.
Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook
will
not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail
merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.


:

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a
mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with
this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good
instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I
create
a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first."
IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually
change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of
them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print
the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it
will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as"
options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Poorrichguy]

Thanks, Russ. I will try that setting in the File As field.
poorrichguy

Not quite. The settings you refer to only affect the Outlook Address Book.
They have nothing to do with the File As... field in the Contacts Folder.
That setting is in Tools > Options > Preferences > Contact Options... > and
will apply to any new Contact you create.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ. But when outlook insists on putting last names first and
treating them like first names, it has a lot to do with the resulting
image
on an envelope or label.
I finally got the problem figured out, thanks to midnight musings.
If anyone else has outlook reversing and not filing as ordered in "File
As"
I might be able to help. First, don't fight outlooks default for first
last.
Go with first last. That may require going back into the "Tools- Email
Accounts- Directory- Change- View or change Directory. Next. Change.
Contacts. First last. Finish. Close and Restart Outlook. "
After making sure that the trooublesome contact entry is correct in the
Full
Name Dialogue box, delete the entire name in the Full Name Field. Save and
close. RE-Open contact. Make sure full Name Dialogue box still has the
first
name and last names correct. Then, in the File As Field, delete the entry
and
retype the first and last name. Save and Close.

It will have nothing to do with your mail merge issues.
You have not specified where it is you want your Contacts sorted nor your
default settings for the File As field.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions...
but
why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton.
Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson.
Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook
will
not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail
merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.


:

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a
mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with
this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good
instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I
create
a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first."
IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually
change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of
them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print
the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it
will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as"
options
(first last and last, first).

 

[Poorrichguy]

Russ, thank you so much. That is the final piece. It works like a charm.
Poorrichguy

Not quite. The settings you refer to only affect the Outlook Address Book.
They have nothing to do with the File As... field in the Contacts Folder.
That setting is in Tools > Options > Preferences > Contact Options... > and
will apply to any new Contact you create.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ. But when outlook insists on putting last names first and
treating them like first names, it has a lot to do with the resulting
image
on an envelope or label.
I finally got the problem figured out, thanks to midnight musings.
If anyone else has outlook reversing and not filing as ordered in "File
As"
I might be able to help. First, don't fight outlooks default for first
last.
Go with first last. That may require going back into the "Tools- Email
Accounts- Directory- Change- View or change Directory. Next. Change.
Contacts. First last. Finish. Close and Restart Outlook. "
After making sure that the trooublesome contact entry is correct in the
Full
Name Dialogue box, delete the entire name in the Full Name Field. Save and
close. RE-Open contact. Make sure full Name Dialogue box still has the
first
name and last names correct. Then, in the File As Field, delete the entry
and
retype the first and last name. Save and Close.

It will have nothing to do with your mail merge issues.
You have not specified where it is you want your Contacts sorted nor your
default settings for the File As field.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thank you Russ... I will grant you that about mail merge functions...
but
why
is Outlook refusing to sort according to the "file as?" ....
Example: Brian Alton is entered as Brian Alton. File as Brian Alton.
Outlook
insists on filing it as Alton Brian.
James Anderson is entered as James Anderson. File as James Anderson.
Outlook
files his name as James Anderson.
Its around 20 or so names in a thousand in my contact list. Outlook
will
not
give first name first, last name last. If I could solve this, my mail
merge
problems would be eased quite a bit.
Has no one else run into this? I have been fighting it for days.


:

How you sort Contacts in your Contacts Folder has nothing to do with a
mail
merge. How you construct your merge fields has everything to do with
this.
Post back if you do not understand. There are plenty of good
instructions
you can read on how to construct a mail merge.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/printlabel.htm
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011186361033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I prefer to have contacts arranged by alpha last name, and when I
create
a
mail merge to print labels, the labels are printed as "last, first."
IMHO,
mailings should use first last format. I have been able to manually
change
most in the contact list, but Outlook 2003 refuses to accept some of
them.
Example: Bill Jones, "file as Jones, Bill" will in one case print
the
label
as Bill Jones but in the case of Adam Smith "file as Smith, Adam" it
will
only print Smith, Adam on the label. I have tried both "file as"
options
(first last and last, first).