Microsoft KB Archive/198138

= OL2000: (CW) Microsoft Fax Does Not Process Dialing Properties =

Article ID: 198138

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Word 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5

-



This article was previously published under Q198138





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 There are two methods of solving this problem.


 * 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 macro below in a batch modification. The code example will only modify Fax numbers; it will not modify other types of phone numbers.

Setting Outlook to Enter +1 for All New Fax Entries
To begin all new telephone numbers with a +1, follow these steps:
 * 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.

NOTE: Whenever you add a new telephone number to a contact, Outlook will add a +1 prefix and Microsoft Fax will properly process the modem dialing properties. This method effects all telephone numbers, not just fax numbers.

VBScript to Modify Existing Fax Numbers
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

This method adds a +1 to every fax number in the selected folder. Telephone numbers that are not fax numbers remain unchanged. To automatically modify your existing fax numbers, using Outlook Visual Basic for Applications, follow these steps:  Open the Contacts folder that contains the contact fax numbers that you want to modify. In the Macro Name box, type AddPlusOneToFaxNumber, and then click Create. This starts the Visual Basic Editor and automatically creates a subroutine for you.  Type the following lines of code so that the Visual Basic for Applications procedure appears as follows: Sub AddPlusOneToFaxNumbers Dim oCurFolder As Outlook.MAPIFolder Dim oItems As Outlook.Items Dim oItem As Object Dim iCount As Integer Dim iCountBeforeChanges As Integer Dim sBusiness As String Dim sHome As String Dim sOther As String MsgBox "This process may take a while. " & _ "You will receive a message when it is complete." ' Use whichever folder is currently selected Set oCurFolder = ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder ' Reference the items in the folder Set oItems = oCurFolder.Items iCount = 0 ' Loop through the items in the folder For Each oItem In oItems ' Make sure the item is not a distribution list If TypeName(oItem) = "ContactItem" Then ' Get the fax numbers sBusiness = oItem.BusinessFaxNumber sHome = oItem.HomeFaxNumber sOther = oItem.OtherFaxNumber iCountBeforeChanges = iCount ' If BusinessFaxNumber is not blank, add +1 If sBusiness <> "" And InStr(sBusiness, "+1") = 0 Then oItem.BusinessFaxNumber = "+1 " & sBusiness iCount = iCount + 1 End If        ' If HomeFaxNumber is not blank, add +1 If sHome <> "" And InStr(sHome, "+1") = 0 Then oItem.HomeFaxNumber = "+1 " & sHome iCount = iCount + 1 End If        ' If OtherFaxNumber is not blank, add +1 If sOther <> "" And InStr(sOther, "+1") = 0 Then oItem.OtherFaxNumber = "+1 " & sOther iCount = iCount + 1 End If        ' Save the updated contact if it changed If iCountBeforeChanges <> iCount Then oItem.Save End If  Next MsgBox iCount & " fax number(s) modified. Process done." End Sub  On the File menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros. Click the AddPlusOneToContacts macro, and then click Run.</li></ol>

Additional query words: ol2k

Keywords: kbprb KB198138

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.