When creating an email message in Outlook, how can I locate a contact in one of the shared contacts folders?

Symptoms

In Outlook, it is not possible to locate a contact in someone elses shared contacts folder.

Cause

The shared contacts folder has not been automatically set up as an Outlook address book.

Resolution

1. Right click the shared contacts folder and select Properties.
2. Select the ‘Outlook Address Book’ tab.
3. Tick the option ‘Show this folder as an e-mail Address Book’.
4. Enter a meaningful display name, such as ‘Johns contacts’. This does not change the folder name but does allow the shared contacts folders to be easily identified.
5. Click OK.

More Info

Note. When Outlook is configured in the Corporate or Workgroup mode, you may need to first enable the Outlook Address Book service by clicking Tools | Services | Add. To determine how Outlook is configured, click Help | About Microsoft Outlook.

Create a new mail message and start typing the name of the contact. Press ctrl+K to search and any matches from any of your contacts folders will be listed. Choose the appropriate match.

Or, create a new mail message and click the To or CC buttons on the left. Select the required address book from the list and locate your contact within it.

If Outlook is configured in the Corporate or Workgroup mode then you can set the search order for the various Contacts lists by clicking Tools | Address Book | Tools | Options.