"File as" function for contact names in MS Outlook

[Guest]

How are contact names ("John Smith") set up to be filed as "Smith, John"?
If I enter new name "Mr. & Mrs. John Smith", Outlook takes the input and
offers in the "File as:" box "John, Smith". Naturally, I want "Smith, John".
There is a down arrow tab that permits me to select "Smith John", but that
is unacceptable because it requires two additional steps - selecting this new
option and then adding a comma after Smith.

How can I adjust Outlook to properly list lastname, firstname?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP Outlook]]

That would depend, of course, on your version which you did not specify.
Look in Tools > Options on either the General Tab or Preferences Tab for
"Contact Options..." That's where you specify the format for your File
As... field.

 

[Guest]

Do what Russ says (he's probably told about a million people before you),
then close and reopen Outlook.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP Outlook]]

Outlook won't require a restart for this function. It will only apply to
new Contacts, not existing ones. Only sorting of the Outlook Address
book requires a restart.

 

[Guest]

Ooops, you're right....I was thinking of the problem I had with the "To:"
button and getting the names that appear when that button is clicked on to
sort in last, first order.

 

[Guest]

Thanks so much! Used tools and options - fixed in jib time.

 

[Guest]

I am using Office Professional 2003. In my address book I want to file last
name first. When I put that into "file as" it continues to be filed first,
then last. I tried changing the setting in my preferences but to no avail.
How can I get this to work?
Another question - when setting up an appointment, can I save and close with
one click somehow like I could with previous versions?

That would depend, of course, on your version which you did not specify.
Look in Tools > Options on either the General Tab or Preferences Tab for
"Contact Options..." That's where you specify the format for your File
As... field.
------
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

How are contact names ("John Smith") set up to be filed as "Smith, John"?
If I enter new name "Mr. & Mrs. John Smith", Outlook takes the input and
offers in the "File as:" box "John, Smith". Naturally, I want "Smith, John".
There is a down arrow tab that permits me to select "Smith John", but that
is unacceptable because it requires two additional steps - selecting this new
option and then adding a comma after Smith.

How can I adjust Outlook to properly list lastname, firstname?