OL2000: (CW) How to Control the Width of Address Book Columns (222878)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q222878
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry


NOTE: The procedures in this article only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate or Workgroup option. With this option, you can use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, click About Microsoft Outlook on the Help menu. If you have the Corporate or Workgroup installation, you see "Corporate or Workgroup".

SUMMARY

When you view entries in the Outlook Corporate or Workgroup (CW) Exchange Server Global 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: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


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:

    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.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/9/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbhowto kbprb KB222878
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