Indiana University
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In Outlook 2002 and 2003, what is AutoComplete Addressing?

Outlook 2002 and 2003 come with an addressing feature called AutoComplete, which is turned on by default. AutoComplete remembers addresses you have recently used; when you type a minimum of three characters which match previously used addresses, it will complete 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.

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. If you watch as you type the username, and see username@indiana.edu display in the list, highlight it and delete it. This effectively removes it from the list of remembered addresses.

To disable AutoComplete:

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

  2. Click the Preferences tab, then click Email Options....

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