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9 Replies Last post: Jul 11, 2008 6:16 AM by Tetsugaku

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

Jul 3, 2008 7:29 AM

Address book. First & last names order problem

Hi all, I'm having an issue with address book names not appearing in
the right order, or more to the point first and last names not
appearing in the right order - in fact it's exactly the same as:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7471811#7471811

However that solution doesn't work.

Essentially, when I go into address book / prefs and click sort by
firstname/lastname - the list updates, but when I click 'before last
name' / 'following last name' nothing happens at all. The list is ordered by first name - as I want it, but I'm still getting the surname first.

This has transferred over to my Touch as well so it's very frustrating! any ideas?

thanks very much for your time

Reply Tags: address_book

bastion

1,164 posts since
Oct 14, 2004

1. Jul 3, 2008 7:37 AM

in response to: Tetsugaku

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

What version of Address Book?

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

2. Jul 3, 2008 7:57 AM

in response to: bastion

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

Hello, it will be whatever the latest version is, I only pulled the Mac out of it's box 6 days ago and did a full update that morning so it's pretty up to date.

cheers.

DMurray431

189 posts since
Aug 11, 2001

3. Jul 3, 2008 10:24 PM

in response to: Tetsugaku

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

As in most programs on a Mac it is "all in the preferences". To change the first/last name headings open up the preferences....... click on general and at the top there are two check boxes (circles actually), just check on the way you want.

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

4. Jul 4, 2008 2:20 AM

in response to: DMurray431

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

Thankyou - however as I said :

"Essentially, when I go into address book / prefs and click sort by
firstname/lastname - the list updates, but when I click 'before last
name' / 'following last name' nothing happens at all. The list is ordered by first name - as I want it, but I'm still getting the surname first."

that doesn't work.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

many thanks

arkman

523 posts since
Jun 20, 2001

5. Jul 8, 2008 2:45 PM

in response to: Tetsugaku

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

I feel your pain. i have had similar problems. Have you tried deleting any Addressbook preferences in your User fold>library? Search for them and delete them (Make sure AB is not running). Then go into AB preferences and set it up the way you want. It has worked for me on a temporary basis.

My problem is when I import names into addressbook from Mail the first and last names get reversed no matter how I have them selected. I deleted preferences and all worked for a time but the reverted back to reversing. It is a pain that Apple has not addressed.

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

6. Jul 8, 2008 2:53 PM

in response to: arkman

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

Hi Arkman - well I have tried looking throught the settings files - but I'm not sure I'm changng the right ones - do you know what files I should be checking?

I have tested the system by adding a new contact - strangely that lines up properly, witht he first name in the right place so maybe it is actually something to do with the import process? Where did yours come from?

arkman

523 posts since
Jun 20, 2001

7. Jul 8, 2008 3:23 PM

in response to: Tetsugaku

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

My problem came from importing addresses from Apple Mail. It imported all the correct info. but would reverse the first and last names. It is back to doing the same thing after working correctly for a day or two. It must be a bug in the program or interference from some other file. I have deleted all the third party plugins but still no luck. It is a pain to keep switching by hand but I find no other solution. I will follow your thread to see if anyone else has a better solution.

BTW: I have this problem of both my MacBook Pro laptop and G5 desktop. Both are running 10.5.4 and all the latest versions of software.

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

8. Jul 8, 2008 11:26 PM

in response to: arkman

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

Hmm well mine came from an export of my old Outlook / PC set up so maybe it is jut a bug - it's odd that this hasn't shown up anywhere else however - I have looked around and I can't see anyone else with this issue?

Tetsugaku

6 posts since
Jul 3, 2008

9. Jul 11, 2008 6:16 AM

in response to: Tetsugaku

Re: Address book. First & last names order problem

Fixed.... stupid Apple.

Address book - Card - Reorder last name before first....

Quite why there are two options to do one thing and the forst one is broken - I don't know...

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Jul 3, 2008 7:29 AM

Address book. First & last names order problem

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