Indiana University
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In Outlook, what is AutoComplete Addressing?

Microsoft Outlook's AutoComplete feature remembers addresses you have used recently; when you type a minimum of three characters which match previously used addresses, Outlook completes the address with a unique match from the list of remembered addresses. These addresses are already resolved, and thus ignore any lookup in the Global Address List (GAL) or your Contacts. AutoComplete is turned on by default.

Note: When you enter an address in the "From:" field, it is critical that it resolves to the GAL, not to the SMTP address; for example, "Fudd, Elmer" instead of efudd@indiana.edu. If the "From:" field resolves to username@indiana.edu, you will see a permissions error. To fix this, watch as you type the username. If you see username@indiana.edu display in the list, highlight it and delete it. This effectively removes it from the list of remembered addresses.

In Outlook 2010, to disable AutoComplete:

  1. From the File menu, click Options.

  2. From the Mail tab, scroll down to the "Send messages" area.

  3. Deselect Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when....

In earlier versions of Outlook, to disable AutoComplete:

  1. From the Tools menu, click Options....

  2. From the Preferences tab, click Email Options....

  3. Click Advanced Email Options..., and then deselect Suggest names while completing To, Cc, and Bcc fields. Click OK to close each of the three open windows.