In Microsoft Outlook 2002 or 2003, how do I create a Personal Address Book?

Note: UITS recommends that you use the Outlook address book (which is created automatically from information in your Contacts folder) instead of a Personal Address Book. The contacts will be located on the server and accessible from any Outlook client as well as Outlook Web Access, whereas a Personal Address Book is only available from the hard drive of the computer on which you create it.

In Outlook 2007, you cannot create a Personal Address Book; you have only the option of creating an Outlook Address Book.

When you install older versions of Outlook, the Personal Address Book service is usually included. However, if it isn't, you can set it up later. In addition to a Personal Address Book, you can set up an Outlook Address Book. The former is usually a local file (i.e., on your hard drive), while the latter exists on the Exchange server.

To set up a Personal Address Book in Outlook 2002 or 2003:

1. From the Tools menu, select E-mail Accounts... .
   
   
2. Choose Add new directory or address book, and then click Next.
   
   
3. Select Additional Address Book, and then click Next.
   
   
4. From the list of services, choose Personal Address Book. Click Next.
   
   
5. Another dialog box will open. You can change the "Name:" and the "Path:" (mailbox location) if you wish (the default path is C:\Exchange\mailbox.pab). You may put the mailbox.pab file on any drive you have mapped, including one on another network-connected computer.

   Note: If you place your Personal Address Book file on a network-connected computer, you will be able to access it from only one Exchange client at a given time. The Outlook Address Book is stored on the Exchange server and you can access it whenever you are connected to the Exchange server. You can also synchronize your Outlook Address Book to your local computer for offline access by using offline folders. See In Microsoft Outlook for Windows, what are offline folders, and how do I enable and disable them?

6. Click OK. Exit Outlook and then reopen it. You can now use the address book.

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