How to change the default address display in Outlook 2007 contact list

[WimYogya]

In the CONTACTS section of Outlook 2007 there are various default settings that I don't like. But I don't find options to change them.
1.
The main one is that the address box LOOKS as ONE field, but is in fact a collection of invisible fields: Street, City, State, Zip, Country. What you type in that big box is sometimes unclear to Outlook, then it pops up an edit box with all the separate fields. Sometimes there WAS already a (default) Country/Region in the box and then the result of a printed address could be: John Johnson, 1st Street 1, LA, CA 98765, USA, The Netherlands.
I would prefer to see the 'split' address view by default. How?
And if it is not possible, how can I force Outlook to show the split box when I need it?
2.
The same address box has two options, business and home. Business is shown by default, so often I type private addresses in the wrong box - with confusing results when grouping, printing etc.
Can BOTH the Home AND the Business address box be displayed at the same time?
If not possible, then can I instruct Outlook to display the Home box by default?
3.
Similar problem with the Email box. I always have to use the dropdownlist to see/edit/use a 2nd or 3rd email. In this time where many people have several email addresses, at least 2 of them should be visible by default in the standard view.

I know that I can customize my Outlook Contact page completely to my own needs. I gave it a few attempts, but the result was a bewildering mess. Lots worse than the original.

If 2007 does not offer solutions for my display problems, does Office 2010 do?
Anyone experienced with 2010 who can tell me two or three major differences (improvements!) with 2007?

Thanks.

 

[Irene]

Some information here: Outlook 2007: Contacts Viewing Options, UWEC, which includes customizing the fields.

 

[WimYogya]

Not my point...

Hi Irene,
Sorry again: you didn't address my problem.
I did and do know how to change Custom Views in Contact LISTS, but I am referring to the default display of a COMPLETE, INDIVIDUAL contact RECORD.
The usual place to fill in all the details of a contact.
THERE I wish to see:

• The Address Box split in separate fields for Street, City, State, Zip, Country
• The HOME Address box as the default one
• Not only Email 1 but also Email 2-3 open by default

The ONLY option I can find there, in that record, is to use the developer. But as said: that is too head-braking for me. More for programmers/designers than for users.

Any other option?
Or any user who already DID modify his default record display as described and can share it with me?
Thanks.

 

[Irene]

I think I will leave you in the hands of others, WimYogya - my voluntary time will be best applied to others who I can help.

 

[WimYogya]

Hi Irene,
I don't want to be unfriendly or disrespectful, but a few times I got help to solve problems that I didn't have
Especially when the request/problem is not standard, the answer cannot be standard either, then it must be more taior-made, after reading the problem carefully.
Thanks anyhow for the times you were of real great help!

 

[techfriend]

Same problem with Outlook 2010 & BCM

Hi WimYogya,
I understand that it was long time ago,
but did you figure out how resolve the issues with address recognition issues.
I have the same problem and its just annoying, I checked everything and tried to find some commercial plugins. No results.

Much appreciate if you share your info about it
Thanks
Nick

 

[WimYogya]

Nope, found no answers or assistance at all. Hoped that Outlook 2010 would have better flexible options, but none...
Sorry for you and me...

 

[techfriend]

The best answer but not solution!!

Outlook 2007/2010 displays postal code after city in address data for contact


Check this answer

Just to eliminate any (or at least as much) confusion as possible and ensure that we're both on the same page regarding this
The format of <Address Block> (Home/Business/Other) shown on the main contact detail screen is governed by the country associated with the address to correspond to that country's formatting option
Ergo, if the all the underlying details are correct where each individual field has the correct data
Street Address
City
State/Prov
Zip/Postal Code
Country
Then it sounds like the issue is coming from the country for that address. Outlook does have it's own formatting rules for phone numbers and addresses which has always been the case but can't speak to what OWA displays.
Take any North American Address (i.e. Canada/US) that displays as
123 AnyStreet
SomeCity, SomeProv, PostCode
Country
change the country for the address to Netherlands (as a for instance) - the very same data would then display the full address as:
123 AnyStreet
PostCode SomeCity SomeProv
Country
Change the address country to "Kyrgyzstan" as another for instance, and the format of the full displayed address is
PostCode SomeCity SomeProv
123 AnyStreet
Country
The full Address in Outlook is one of those "derived" fields (FullName / FileAs / Email DisplayAs being some others) that are based on the content of otherunderlying indivdual fields and default format settings (in the case of FullName and FileAs)
One caveat to the above is:
If no country is specified in the <Country> field (i.e. blank or a non-standard country name) - then the display format reverts to country defined in the regional settings.
So to be specific, what are the <exact> individual field values for the original example address (including country since none appears to be included indicating that it's blank):
Streetname 123
1234 AA City
If no country is specified - what is the country selected in the Regional Settings?
Karl Timmermans - The Claxton Group
Outlook Import/Export Hints/Tips
Contact import/export/data management tools for Outlook '2000/2010 - ContactGenie.com

So for me or better to say for my client who is really worried about this i recommend to click the button ( Business) and start filled the separated form cause no rules can work with this especially when you start using two words cities and states.

Good luck.
Techfriend

 

[WimYogya]

Thanks for the explanation. It is sort of impressive that Outlook automatically adjusts the address format to the country of that address. But I need different flexibility. I want to change the WHOLE layout of the contact sheet (e.g. with 2 or 3 email addresses always visible, not in drop down lists) and with the HOME address and BUSINESS address both visible (and the HOME address being the standard). All my attempts to change the default layout created a terrible mess.
And I cannot find someone who can do it for me.
Thanks for your reply, anyhow.

 

[KiamaraKid]

Customizing Contacts

Hi there,

I have had the same problem with contacts in Windows 7 Office 2010. Have a look at this link, it worked for me by using http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/contacts/change-business-card-layout/

It works and you don't need to buy any special software.
Why Microsoft do not tell you how to do it defeats me!

Good luck

John

 

[WimYogya]

Seems too complicated

Hi John,
Thanks for your suggestion, but it seems way too complicated for me.
Maybe I would still be able to change the new default card for new contacts.
But the script for existing ones: no clue how to handle that.
Scared the result will be a mess.
Wim

 

[KiamaraKid]

Hi WimYogya,

In Windows 7/ Outlook 2010 it is easy to do:

1) Open up a contact
2) Click on the 'Business Card' icon on the top ribbon
3) Edit the Business card by adding fields or removing them, change the order is you want
4) Save and you are done.

....at least with that one, I have not found out yet how to copy the format from that one to your other cards.

John

 

[WimYogya]

But that is exactly what I want: create ONE default view for ALL contacts, existing and new ones.
I have 900+ contacts, so I do not want to change the views one by one.
Wim

 

[seavixen32]

You can use Outlook's Form Designer, but it needs Visual Basic knowledge.

 

[alrogan]

Hello WimYogya,
When displaying items like contacts or emails, Outlook uses objects called forms that control what fields are displayed and where. I have not edited forms before, so I don't know if what you seek to do is possible. But if it is possible, the following article may be a good starting point:

Tutorial: Creating and distributing custom forms with Outlook - Outlook - Office.com

Cheers and good luck!