OL98: (CW) Microsoft Fax Does Not Process Dialing Properties

• Microsoft Outlook 98
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When using Microsoft Word with the Microsoft Outlook Address Book to Mail Merge To Fax (also known as Broadcast Fax), the telephone number dials incorrectly. The Fax service dials local numbers with the area code and long-distance numbers with the area code, but without the leading +1.

CAUSE

When using Word to Mail Merge To Fax, the Microsoft Fax service dials telephone numbers as they appear in the Outlook Fax number field. The telephone numbers are not processed by the modem's dialing properties. Outlook will automatically add the local area code if you do not enter an area code when you type the telephone number in the Fax field. In this situation, the Fax modem incorrectly dials both local and long-distance telephone numbers with 10 digits.

RESOLUTION

For Microsoft Fax to process the modem dialing properties, there must be a +1 in front of the telephone number in the Fax field. The long distance prefix of +1 forces the modem dialing properties to evaluate the telephone number. The number should follow this format:

+1 (555)555-5555

• Prior to initially entering the fax numbers in your Outlook contacts, you can set Outlook to automatically enter a +1 in the Fax number field as you enter new local and long-distance telephone numbers. This method affects all telephone numbers, not just fax numbers. NOTE: Outlook will automatically insert your default area code when you enter a 7-digit phone number in contacts. If you wish to prevent Outlook from inserting an area code, enter a comma (,) before the 7-digit number.



• If you need to modify existing contact fax numbers, you will have to modify the records manually. Or, use the VBScript code below in a batch modification. The code example will only modify Fax numbers; it will not modify Phone field entries.

Setting Outlook to Enter +1 for All New Fax Entries

1. Start Outlook and open the default Contacts folder.



2. On the Actions menu, point to Call Contact, and then click New Call.



3. Click Dialing Options.



4. Click to select "the Automatically add country code to local phone number" check box. Click OK, and then click Close.

VBScript to Modify Existing Fax Numbers

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

1. Start Outlook and open the Contacts folder that contains the contact Fax numbers that you want to modify.



2. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Contact to open an Untitled contact.



3. On the Tools menu, point to Forms, and click Design This Form.



4. Click the (P.2) tab to open page two of the form.



5. On the Form menu, click Display This Page.



6. On the Form menu, click Control Toolbox.



7. From the Control Toolbox, drag a CommandButton to P2 of the Untitled Contact form.



8. On the Form menu, click View Code to open the Script Editor.



9. Type the following code into the Script Editor, and then on the File menu of the Script Editor, click Close:

   
          Sub CommandButton1_Click
          Dim FXNum(2)
          Plus1 = "+1"
          Set CurFolder = Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder
          For I = 1 to CurFolder.Items.Count
           Set CurItem=CurFolder.Items.Item(I)
            FXNum(0) = CurItem.BusinessFaxNumber
            FXNum(1) = CurItem.OtherFaxNumber
            FXNum(2) = CurItem.HomeFaxNumber
            For X = 0 to 2
              If FXNum(X) <> "" then
               Test = InStr(FXNum(X),Plus1)
               If Test = 0 then
                  Count = Count + 1
             Select Case X
               Case 0
                 CurItem.BusinessFaxNumber = Plus1 & " " & FXNum(X)
               Case 1
                 CurItem.OtherFaxNumber = Plus1 & " " & FXNum(X)
               Case 2
                 CurItem.HomeFaxNumber = Plus1 & " " & FXNum(X)
               End Select
             CurItem.Save
               End If
              End If
            Next
          Next
          MsgBox Count & " Records modified" & Chr(13) & "Process Done"
          End Sub 




10. On the Tools menu, Point to Forms, and click Publish Form. Click to select the Contacts folder from the Look In list. Type a name for your form, click Publish and close the form.



11. On the Actions menu, click to open your form.

Additional query words: 98

Keywords : GnlDial
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb