Select the product you need help with

OL97: Imported Fax Numbers May not Work in Outlook

Article ID: 164408 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q164408

SYMPTOMS

When you import data containing Fax numbers into Outlook 97 Contacts, you may experience one of the following situations when you try to use the Fax number:

If the number is in your area code, Outlook may attempt to dial the area code even though it is not needed.
If the number is in a different area code, Outlook may fail to dial 1 preceding the area code.
If you require a preceding digit, such as a 9, to access an outside line, Outlook may fail to dial the preceding digit.

In all cases, the connection will be unsuccessful and the Fax will not be sent.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

CAUSE

Outlook does not store the incoming Fax number in the proper format in the Contact record. The format may look correct such as, (123)456-7890, but still not work correctly.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

To correct this problem, you must force Outlook to reformat and store the Fax number correctly by editing each Fax number and resaving the Contact. This will cause Outlook to reformat and store the Fax number correctly. See Steps to Correct the Problem, below.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Outlook 97 version 8.02 for Windows.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Correct the Problem

To reformat and store the Fax number correctly, do the following:

Open the Contact containing the Fax number.
Retype the Fax number or press SPACEBAR + BACKSPACE at the end of the Fax number.
Click Save and Close.

This will cause Outlook to reformat and store the Fax number correctly.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

On the File menu, click Import and Export.
Click "Import from Schedule+ or another program or file" and click Next.
Click the file type to be imported and click Next.
Type the name of a file containing Fax numbers and click Next.
Click Import "<filename>" into the "Contacts" folder then click Map Custom Fields.
Make sure the incoming Fax number is mapped to the proper Contact Fax number field and click OK and then click Finish

Send a Fax using the number imported above. You may experience one of the problems described under SYMPTOMS above.

For more information on correcting the entire Contact list, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

166333

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166333/EN-US/ )

OL97: How to Correct Formatting and Parsing of Imported Contacts

Back to the top | Give Feedback

Properties

Article ID: 164408 - Last Review: January 19, 2007 - Revision: 1.1

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Outlook 97 Standard Edition

kbhowto KB164408

Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

Back to the top | Give Feedback