Problem with the File As field

[Bagheera]

I have a problem with getting the File As field to remain as I would like it.
I think this may be something to do with syncing my PDA with two different
PCs but I'm not sure.

When I save a contact, I would like it to save as "Company Name (Lastname,
Firstname)". However, in some contacts, despite choosing this, it
subsequently shows as "Company Name(Lastname, Firstname)" - note there is no
space before the first bracket.

As a result, it seems to think that the person's name is part of the name of
the company and I am unable to find by name on my PDA.

This problem doesn't happen with all contacts and I can't see any particular
reason why it happens to some and not all. Some contacts were created on my
work PC, others on my home PC.

I've tried manually changing the entries to the format I want but when I
next sync with the other PC, some of them revert back - but not all! I also
tried clearing the File As field and saving the records, then opening and
editing them again. Still no luck.

Has anyone got any ideas as to why this is happening and what I can do to
correct it, please?

Thanks.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The File As... field is a derived field that is created by code. Importing
and synchronizing Contacts are notorious for disrupting this field.
Accordingly, the settings you specify may not persist for Contacts that you
sync. I've seen no solutions.

 

[Bagheera]

Thank you for your response. I had a nasty feeling it would be something like
this.

The File As... field is a derived field that is created by code. Importing
and synchronizing Contacts are notorious for disrupting this field.
Accordingly, the settings you specify may not persist for Contacts that you
sync. I've seen no solutions.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have a problem with getting the File As field to remain as I would like
it.
I think this may be something to do with syncing my PDA with two different
PCs but I'm not sure.

When I save a contact, I would like it to save as "Company Name (Lastname,
Firstname)". However, in some contacts, despite choosing this, it
subsequently shows as "Company Name(Lastname, Firstname)" - note there is
no
space before the first bracket.

As a result, it seems to think that the person's name is part of the name
of
the company and I am unable to find by name on my PDA.

This problem doesn't happen with all contacts and I can't see any
particular
reason why it happens to some and not all. Some contacts were created on
my
work PC, others on my home PC.

I've tried manually changing the entries to the format I want but when I
next sync with the other PC, some of them revert back - but not all! I
also
tried clearing the File As field and saving the records, then opening and
editing them again. Still no luck.

Has anyone got any ideas as to why this is happening and what I can do to
correct it, please?

Thanks.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Your issue is with your sync software, not Outlook. Any properly written
sync routine will not disrupt your File As fields.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you for your response. I had a nasty feeling it would be something
like
this.

The File As... field is a derived field that is created by code.
Importing
and synchronizing Contacts are notorious for disrupting this field.
Accordingly, the settings you specify may not persist for Contacts that
you
sync. I've seen no solutions.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have a problem with getting the File As field to remain as I would
like
it.
I think this may be something to do with syncing my PDA with two
different
PCs but I'm not sure.

When I save a contact, I would like it to save as "Company Name
(Lastname,
Firstname)". However, in some contacts, despite choosing this, it
subsequently shows as "Company Name(Lastname, Firstname)" - note there
is
no
space before the first bracket.

As a result, it seems to think that the person's name is part of the
name
of
the company and I am unable to find by name on my PDA.

This problem doesn't happen with all contacts and I can't see any
particular
reason why it happens to some and not all. Some contacts were created
on
my
work PC, others on my home PC.

I've tried manually changing the entries to the format I want but when
I
next sync with the other PC, some of them revert back - but not all! I
also
tried clearing the File As field and saving the records, then opening
and
editing them again. Still no luck.

Has anyone got any ideas as to why this is happening and what I can do
to
correct it, please?

Thanks.

 

[Bagheera]

I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd have thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't you?

I have switched to Vista at work and will shortly be switching at home using
the sync software built in - maybe I'll achieve some consistency.

Ever onwards...

Your issue is with your sync software, not Outlook. Any properly written
sync routine will not disrupt your File As fields.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thank you for your response. I had a nasty feeling it would be something
like
this.

The File As... field is a derived field that is created by code.
Importing
and synchronizing Contacts are notorious for disrupting this field.
Accordingly, the settings you specify may not persist for Contacts that
you
sync. I've seen no solutions.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I have a problem with getting the File As field to remain as I would
like
it.
I think this may be something to do with syncing my PDA with two
different
PCs but I'm not sure.

When I save a contact, I would like it to save as "Company Name
(Lastname,
Firstname)". However, in some contacts, despite choosing this, it
subsequently shows as "Company Name(Lastname, Firstname)" - note there
is
no
space before the first bracket.

As a result, it seems to think that the person's name is part of the
name
of
the company and I am unable to find by name on my PDA.

This problem doesn't happen with all contacts and I can't see any
particular
reason why it happens to some and not all. Some contacts were created
on
my
work PC, others on my home PC.

I've tried manually changing the entries to the format I want but when
I
next sync with the other PC, some of them revert back - but not all! I
also
tried clearing the File As field and saving the records, then opening
and
editing them again. Still no luck.

Has anyone got any ideas as to why this is happening and what I can do
to
correct it, please?

Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd have thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't you?

I've used ActiveSync for years and have never had the File As field change.

 

[Bagheera]

Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be prudish
about such a menage a trois!

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be prudish
about such a menage a trois!

I sync with two computers daily - my work PC and my home PC so that both
Outlooks contain the same data. Make sure your File As settings agree on
both PCs.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take a closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

 

[Bagheera]

Thanks for this code. Sorts things out beautifully, all syncs fine then
screws itself up when I sync with the other PC. I can't see any common
denominator as to why it affects some records and not others - it's
irritating but not life-threatening.

It's something to keep fiddling with in a 'quiet' moment - whatever that is!

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take a closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be prudish
about such a menage a trois!

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

is it always the same records that get messed up? if so, it might be easier
to figure out than you think - I'd look for trailing spaces after names. If
it's different ones each time, you'll need a lot of quiet moments.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Thanks for this code. Sorts things out beautifully, all syncs fine then
screws itself up when I sync with the other PC. I can't see any common
denominator as to why it affects some records and not others - it's
irritating but not life-threatening.

It's something to keep fiddling with in a 'quiet' moment - whatever that
is!

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take a
closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point
your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be
prudish
about such a menage a trois!



:


I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd have
thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't you?

I've used ActiveSync for years and have never had the File As field
change.

 

[Bagheera]

Yes, it's the same suspects each time. I'll have a look at trailing spaces -
thank you for the suggestion.

is it always the same records that get messed up? if so, it might be easier
to figure out than you think - I'd look for trailing spaces after names. If
it's different ones each time, you'll need a lot of quiet moments.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Thanks for this code. Sorts things out beautifully, all syncs fine then
screws itself up when I sync with the other PC. I can't see any common
denominator as to why it affects some records and not others - it's
irritating but not life-threatening.

It's something to keep fiddling with in a 'quiet' moment - whatever that
is!

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take a
closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point
your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.


Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be
prudish
about such a menage a trois!



:


I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd have
thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't you?

I've used ActiveSync for years and have never had the File As field
change.

 

[Bagheera]

Had a look at trailing spaces but sadly this didn't seem to be an issue.
Tried copying all the offending records to a new folder, deleted the
originals, re-synced and copied them back again which was fine till I
re-synced with my work PC. Clearly something lurking within the records
themselves. Do you think it's worth using Import instead of Copy?

As you say, lots of 'quiet moments' needed. The trouble is, now I've raised
this issue, it's beginning to bug me! I only work part time so it's sometimes
several days before I get a chance to test out and changes.

Thanks for your contribution - perhaps one day I'll solve it!

Yes, it's the same suspects each time. I'll have a look at trailing spaces -
thank you for the suggestion.

is it always the same records that get messed up? if so, it might be easier
to figure out than you think - I'd look for trailing spaces after names. If
it's different ones each time, you'll need a lot of quiet moments.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Thanks for this code. Sorts things out beautifully, all syncs fine then
screws itself up when I sync with the other PC. I can't see any common
denominator as to why it affects some records and not others - it's
irritating but not life-threatening.

It's something to keep fiddling with in a 'quiet' moment - whatever that
is!





:

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take a
closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point
your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.


Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be
prudish
about such a menage a trois!



:


I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd have
thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't you?

I've used ActiveSync for years and have never had the File As field
change.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

You can test it with importing the affected appointments - it might not fix
it, but its something I would try, if only to see if it worked.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.

Had a look at trailing spaces but sadly this didn't seem to be an issue.
Tried copying all the offending records to a new folder, deleted the
originals, re-synced and copied them back again which was fine till I
re-synced with my work PC. Clearly something lurking within the records
themselves. Do you think it's worth using Import instead of Copy?

As you say, lots of 'quiet moments' needed. The trouble is, now I've
raised
this issue, it's beginning to bug me! I only work part time so it's
sometimes
several days before I get a chance to test out and changes.

Thanks for your contribution - perhaps one day I'll solve it!

Yes, it's the same suspects each time. I'll have a look at trailing
spaces -
thank you for the suggestion.

is it always the same records that get messed up? if so, it might be
easier
to figure out than you think - I'd look for trailing spaces after
names. If
it's different ones each time, you'll need a lot of quiet moments.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or point
your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.


Thanks for this code. Sorts things out beautifully, all syncs fine
then
screws itself up when I sync with the other PC. I can't see any
common
denominator as to why it affects some records and not others - it's
irritating but not life-threatening.

It's something to keep fiddling with in a 'quiet' moment - whatever
that
is!





:

it could be, or the name fields are screwed up for some contacts.

Try running this code on both outlooks to set the field as field to
the
correct field for existing contacts. If the problem continues, take
a
closer
look at the affected contacts - something is causing it to get
corrupt
during the exchange.
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/file-as.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
(e-mail address removed)

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
(e-mail address removed)

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx or
point
your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.


Do you think it could be because I sync with two PCs? It could be
prudish
about such a menage a trois!



:


I suspected as much - I'm using Microsoft ActiveSync - you'd
have
thought
Microsoft products would chat happily to each other, wouldn't
you?

I've used ActiveSync for years and have never had the File As
field
change.