How to Enter Phone Numbers in Phone Dialer Correctly (266253)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q266253

SUMMARY

If you do not enter the phone number in Phone Dialer the correct way, you cannot use the Dialing Properties. For example, when you make an incorrect entry in Phone Dialer, you do not receive the prefix for access to an outside line and calling card. This article describes how to enter phone numbers in Phone Dialer correctly.

MORE INFORMATION

Many Windows-based programs that include dialing functions have separate fields for the country code, the local area code and the phone number. For example, Dial-Up Networking connections include this functionality. However, Phone Dialer has only one field to enter the complete phone number.

If you type your phone number in this single field, Phone Dialer uses the phone number as it as entered. This means that all of your dialing rules such as the prefix for access to an outside line and so on are ignored.

To be able to use the dialing rules you set in the Modems tool in Control Panel, you must enter the phone number in Phone Dialer in the international dialing format beginning with a plus character as part of the country code and having the local area code in parentheses (). For example: 
+<country code> (<local area code>) <phone number>
The complete entry would appear like this: 
+49 (89) 123456
When you use this format, Phone Dialer uses the dialing rules you set in the Modems tool in Control Panel.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB266253
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