Override Area Code Rule // Outlook and Motoq contacts sync

[rangel]

The only reason why I use microsoft outlook is to sync the contacts on motoq, since it is much faster than adding every single contact straight on the phone.

When we enter a contact in outlook, the local area code is automatically added as well. I don´t like this but it did not bother me. Until last month, when I travelled to a place with a different area code. Now my phone adds the " 21" to all calls I make, meaning that my calls are not getting o where they are supposed to. They go someplace else... If I want to make a call for a number from the same location/area code as mine, I have to dial the number myself instead of dialling directly from the phone´s agenda.

The phone company told me to delete the "21" from the contacts. Easier said than done... Outlook simply does not let me do it.

I have done some search on the net and found out a way to override the area code rule - I simply have to put the number between aspas. I have tried that on a few contacts, done the sync and tried making a call directly from my phone but it was not accepted.

Have you come across something like that already? In case you did, how did you get past this? I´ve been asking this question around but so far no answers/suggestions.

I am saying area code "21" cause that´s the area code in my country - but that should not affect the answer since what I really need (at least that´s what I think) is a way to write down just the numbers (no country and/or area codes) on outlook so that it can sync with my motoq.

Thanks (a lot) in advance!

[lexicon]

I guess the first part of the solution would require you to know where you inserted "21" in the first place. By default I don't have that in my outlook. Furthermore, I'm a little confused at why when you're out of your original location dialing the area code is incorrect? Don't you need to dial the area code to call back to your location? Or are you missing the "+" symbol which stands in for the international dialing code? When I format my numbers I always enter them in International prefixed codes so "+1(area code) xxx-xxxx for N. America and "+66 x xxxx-xxxx" for Thailand...etc. As for outlook forcing you to use "21" - that's most likely because at some point you've specified in Outlook that you're from a certain area and to use "21" as the area code in all your contacts. I remember vaguely this being the case in outlook 2003 - but doesn't seem to exist in 2007. I'm sure if you defined the international dialing code properly it will help as opposed to hinder you.

[rangel]

I guess the first part of the solution would require you to know where you inserted "21" in the first place. By default I don't have that in my outlook. Furthermore, I'm a little confused at why when you're out of your original location dialing the area code is incorrect? Don't you need to dial the area code to call back to your location? Or are you missing the "+" symbol which stands in for the international dialing code? When I format my numbers I always enter them in International prefixed codes so "+1(area code) xxx-xxxx for N. America and "+66 x xxxx-xxxx" for Thailand...etc. As for outlook forcing you to use "21" - that's most likely because at some point you've specified in Outlook that you're from a certain area and to use "21" as the area code in all your contacts. I remember vaguely this being the case in outlook 2003 - but doesn't seem to exist in 2007. I'm sure if you defined the international dialing code properly it will help as opposed to hinder you.

===

Thanks for your reply.

Well, let me explain better.

The area code for my city is 21. Within the estate there are some other cities with a different code (like 22 or 24). I went to a location which has 22 as area code.

If I want to make a local call, I just dial the number (without the area code) whereas if I want to call any other city, I have to add an operator code (the most common is, by coincidence, 21, but we also got three other companies and consequently three distinct codes as well).

When I enter contacts in outlook, I just enter the number, like 2332-0889 but then outlook automatically adds "(21)". Before visiting another city that did not seem to make any difference on my calls. When I went to another city, I had to dial home like 021 21 xxxx-xxxx (0 for long distance calls within the country, then 21 as the operator and then 21 as my city. when I dialed a place at the city I was at, I had to dial 021 22 xxxx-xxxx. Since then I was not able to make any calls - unless I dial the number myself.

So I think that there should be a way to have ONLY the numbers I want on outlook. The international and local area codes and dial properties are correct on my computer. And anyway, I tried removing them - hoping it would stop adding my area code on outlook - but did not succeed. Maybe I am doing wrong, maybe there´s another way - I don´t know.

Like I said, if I do as microsoft and put the number between aspas, fine, the area code disappears but then when I sync, moto q gets this number between aspas and does not recognize as a valid phone number so - I can´t make any calls.

I am not even sure if this is a specific motoq question but since my problem is to find a way to sync outlook and motoq so that I can make the calls, I am crying for help.

I know that, in the worst case I can always do it one by one... But I have about 200 contacts on my agenda and doing that straight from motoq does not seem fun to me

Oh by the way, I have deleted the area code, on motoq, from a couple of contacts, done the sync and outlook respected that (did not add the area code). But if I change/modify (whatever) the contact´s number, then it puts that area code back.

===
ps. in case you´re wondering this area code thing, I am calling from Brazil, where the country code is 55, and my local code, as I said above, is 21.

[lexicon]

If you enter the phone numbers in international format then this will not be a problem:

if your number is 1234567 with country code 21 and area code 22 then the phone number should be entered as +21 22 12345678 and when you're dialing it will dial as if it was an international call (but NOT with international rates) and treat the 22 as if it was part of the local number and not a specific area code. All numbers in outlook should be entered in a format where anyone in the world could dial the number and reach that number, if done in that manner you should have no further issues. I would check with an outlook online guide or search for "outlook contacts area code" on google since this is very much an Outlook issue and not a phone issue. You just have to find out the format in which to enter the international number on the phone correctly.

[rangel]

Thank you!
I´ll give it a try.
If I still do not succeed, I´ll keep trying to find out the solution for outlook.
Thanks again!