Plaxo trashing names in Outlook Contacts.

[nlinecomputers]

New user with possible dumb question here.

I just installed the Plaxo toolbar and several of my contacts got updated with info from Plaxo. That's good thing, to a degree. However several of the contacts only have first name, as if the other user installed plaxo and didn't set it up correctly. Now I'm having to hunt down contacts one by one and override and correct the names of them. I don't mind addresses or email addresses updated by plaxo but the names shouldn't do this IMO. Is there a default I can set to override this function?

[Jay]

I have had the same problem. When I make a new entry in Outlook the program lists my contact as it appears on the "File As" line. In Plaxo the entry appears as it was entered in teh "Full Name" line with the last word first.

Plaxo has messed up my address list and calendar so badly tha I am still cleaning up files.

[privacyguy]

When a contact matches that of another Plaxo member who is sharing their information, Plaxo will update the entry to match what is currently on the Plaxo member's cards. Plaxo matches based upon email address and/or AIM SN. If the "Name" you have is different from what is on the Plaxo member's card, the existing field will be updated to match what is on the member's card. The assumption is the information on the member's card is the "latest, greatest, and most accurrate information".

By default, updates occur automatically. You can turn off automatic updates through your preferences. Turning off automatic updates allows you to review changes, and you can accept/reject updates on a field by field basis. Go to Plaxo / Preferences.

On a related note: Plaxo only updates fields that match those that exist on the Plaxo member's cards. For example, if you a mobile number for a contact, but that contact does not a mobile number on their Plaxo card, the existing mobile number field is preserved and left unchanged.

[Jay]

PRIVACYGUY;

Perhaps I have not made my problem clear.

When synchrinizing PLAXO to OUTKOOK I have a disaster.

PLAXO does not reflect the OUTLOOK fields. Instead, it chnages so many names that I end up with a fiasco.

Again, PLAXO takes the Full Name and shows the last word first.
eg: John J. Jones becomes Jones, John J. in PLAXO; American Express becomes Express, American.

OUTLOOK allows the user to customize in "File AS' field. If PLAXO would use OUTLOOK'S "File AS" field there would be no problem.

[nlinecomputers]

PRIVACYGUY;

Perhaps I have not made my problem clear.

When synchrinizing PLAXO to OUTKOOK I have a disaster.

PLAXO does not reflect the OUTLOOK fields. Instead, it chnages so many names that I end up with a fiasco.

Again, PLAXO takes the Full Name and shows the last word first.
eg: John J. Jones becomes Jones, John J. in PLAXO; American Express becomes Express, American.

OUTLOOK allows the user to customize in "File AS' field. If PLAXO would use OUTLOOK'S "File AS" field there would be no problem.


I agree. I now have several contacts that only have the first name that I am having to hunt down and correct. My information is more complete then what the other person put on there card. Honestly these are people that I KNOW are computer klutzes and simply didn't know how to fill in all the fields. Shouldn't you guys be requiring last name fields to be filled in to be a valid card?

[bookguy]

You're screwed. Never, ever allow Plaxo to "automatically" update anything. Always select the option to review the changes before they are made.

Unfortunately, many users are idiots and set up their Plaxo cards with all the thought a kindergarten student uses when drawing with crayons on the wall. They do not use proper formatting, capitalization, etc. Hence, you get incorrect info.

Good luck!