OL2000: (CW) How to Control the Width of Address Book Columns

ID: Q222878

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

NOTE: These procedures only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate or Workgroup option. This option allows you to use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, on the Help Menu click About Microsoft Outlook. In About Microsoft Outlook you should see "Corporate or Workgroup" if you have the Corporate or Workgroup installation.

SUMMARY

When you view entries in the Outlook Corporate or Workgroup (CW) Address Book, there is no option to adjust the width of columns. As a result, entries such as long names may be truncated. This article describes how to control the width of Address Book columns.


MORE INFORMATION

You can control the column width of all Address Book columns with a registry setting. Using this setting will increase or decrease all columns widths proportionally. If you set the column width too wide some of the right-most columns may not appear at all in the Address Book. If you set the column width too narrow text will be truncated.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).


To adjust the column width, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start and click Run.


  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.


  3. In the Registry Editor navigate to the following key:


    4. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange\Client\Options
  4. With the Options subkey selected, on the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.


  5. For the name, type AddressBookColWidth, and then press ENTER.


  6. Double-click AddressBookColWidth, and in the Value data box, type the width you want. You may have to change this setting until you arrive at the number that best suits your needs. A recommended starting point is 79.


  7. Click OK to save your entry.


Leave the Registry Editor open and switch to Outlook. Open the Address Book and see if the column width is acceptable. If not, close the Address Book, leave Outlook running, and switch back to the Registry Editor to adjust the DWORD Value until you arrive at the column width you want. As you make adjustments all column widths in the Address Book are adjusted. If the value is too large, such as 1025, you may notice some of the right-most columns disappear.

Additional query words: OL2K

Keywords : kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug kbprb


Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999
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