How can I standardize th format of all phone numbers in Contacts?

[Guest]

Many phone numbers in my Contacts have different formats - (###) ###-####,
###.###.####, etc.

How can I force all phone numbers to use a single format? Can I set that
format myself?

 

[Guest]

If your Dialing Properties are set correctly for your location, Outlook will
format phone numbers properly.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. I don't use a modem and
setting the dialing properties should not impact the way phone numbers are
displayed in Outlook's Contacts. Am I missing something?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. I don't use a modem
and setting the dialing properties should not impact the way phone
numbers are displayed in Outlook's Contacts. Am I missing something?

Indeed, the phone and modem properties of Windows does affect the phone
number format in Outlook.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

But setting your dialing location is what tells Outlook how to format the
phone number.

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all for the input so far.

I think I am beginning to understand.

First, I need to set my dialing location. I assume that is through Control
Panel>Phone & Modem Options. If so, I've done that. If not, could some kind
soul point me in the right direction?

Second, when will this impact the format of phone numbers in my Outlook
Contacts?

Third, I prefer the ###.###.#### phone number format to the (###) ###.####
phone number format. Is there a way I can convince Outlook to use my format?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You cannot change how phone numbers are masked in Outlook.
Masking should begin as soon as your OS has its default dialing location set
correctly.

 

[Guest]

OK. At this point I will settle - barely - for all phone numbers to appear
with the same format. I have correctly set the default dialing location in
the OS. I continue to have telephone numbers in Outlook Contacts appear in
the following formats:

###.###.####
(###) ###-####
###-###-####

*Something* should have changed by now. How can I convince Outlook to
display phone numbers consistently?

You cannot change how phone numbers are masked in Outlook.
Masking should begin as soon as your OS has its default dialing location set
correctly.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks to all for the input so far.

I think I am beginning to understand.

First, I need to set my dialing location. I assume that is through Control
Panel>Phone & Modem Options. If so, I've done that. If not, could some
kind
soul point me in the right direction?

Second, when will this impact the format of phone numbers in my Outlook
Contacts?

Third, I prefer the ###.###.#### phone number format to the (###) ###.####
phone number format. Is there a way I can convince Outlook to use my
format?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

How do new Contact Records appear? Existing ones won't be affected.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

OK. At this point I will settle - barely - for all phone numbers to appear
with the same format. I have correctly set the default dialing location in
the OS. I continue to have telephone numbers in Outlook Contacts appear in
the following formats:

###.###.####
(###) ###-####
###-###-####

*Something* should have changed by now. How can I convince Outlook to
display phone numbers consistently?

You cannot change how phone numbers are masked in Outlook.
Masking should begin as soon as your OS has its default dialing location
set
correctly.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks to all for the input so far.

I think I am beginning to understand.

First, I need to set my dialing location. I assume that is through
Control
Panel>Phone & Modem Options. If so, I've done that. If not, could some
kind
soul point me in the right direction?

Second, when will this impact the format of phone numbers in my Outlook
Contacts?

Third, I prefer the ###.###.#### phone number format to the (###)
###.####
phone number format. Is there a way I can convince Outlook to use my
format?

 

[Guest]

How do new Contact Records appear?

Just fine.

Existing ones won't be affected.

Oh....

Please pardon my lack of clarity from the beginning on this topic. I am
seeking a way to address the existing records without having to manually edit
every one.

What are my options?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No way I know of unless someone has written code to do this.
Phone number formats are of so little consequence that I doubt anyone has.

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK. At this point I will settle - barely - for all phone numbers to
appear with the same format. I have correctly set the default dialing
location in the OS. I continue to have telephone numbers in Outlook
Contacts appear in the following formats:

###.###.####
(###) ###-####
###-###-####

Recently I noticed that a few of the phone numbers in my Contacts folders
did not have the country code on them. All I did was double-click each and
Outlook repaired the masking.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Please pardon my lack of clarity from the beginning on this topic. I
am seeking a way to address the existing records without having to
manually edit every one.

What are my options?

This tool may be of some help: http://www.slovaktech.com/phonechanger.htm

 

[Guest]

Recently I noticed that a few of the phone numbers in my Contacts folders
did not have the country code on them. All I did was double-click each and
Outlook repaired the masking.

Yes, that does take care of repairing existing phone numbers. However, since
all of my contacts are in the United States, I wish there were a way to
configure phone numbers the way I want them, rather than the format that
Microsoft believes to be the one true way according to my location....

I have downloaded the utility you mentioned in an earlier post. I will let
you know if it does the trick. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Yes, that does take care of repairing existing phone numbers.
However, since all of my contacts are in the United States, I wish
there were a way to configure phone numbers the way I want them,
rather than the format that Microsoft believes to be the one true way
according to my location....

It's not "Microsoft's" way. It's the International dialing standard's way.

 

[Guest]

It's not "Microsoft's" way. It's the International dialing standard's way.

OK.

But I *still* want to configure it for readability. I'm not going to be
tested (*am I*?) on how my phone numbers appear in my Contacts list.

The utility does not seem to work. It looks like I am going to have to go
through each contact separately and edit the numbers.

Drat.