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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Struggling with limited Address Book...

jverschu - Dec 8, 2007 - 8:18 pm

Hello Mac OSX support member,

I am migrating from Windows to the Mac here but with attempting to import data into Address Book I fear that it is too limited to use for me.
When wanting to add fields that I need, like customer data such as PST numbers or account numbers, I see that I have no other choice than what is available in the list. I do not need "mother" or "daughter" boxes... Is there a way to customize the drop down boxes to my need of data choice?
Regarding the importation itself.
I cannot seem to get the data to flow into Address Book like I was expecting. Do I need to review each single address, click OK and move to the next one and click OK again until I have come to address 624 and at the last OK click the total list gets imported? Sofar clicking a few times OK, nothing gets imported...

Thanks for your help
Jan

earthsaver - Dec 8, 2007 - 9:54 pm

You can change the template of default fields in Address Book Preferences. You cannot define additional fields than those available, though, so for PST and account numbers or other customer data, you might need a more comprehensive CRM application.

You need to ensure that all of your existing data already flows. Equivalent data fields should be in the same columns, as in a spreadsheet, so that Address Book interprets them properly, and you can check a few contacts to ensure that all of them will flow during the import. What address book application did you use before?

- Ben

jverschu - Dec 8, 2007 - 11:07 pm

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the help. I have been fearful for this moment... I am using Access on my ancient little windows machine which lets me do anything I tell it to do. I can export data to my Winfax address book from Access. Use little stupid simple Microsoft Works to print pro looking envelopes, again taking the data out of Access. Use another Access table to export from into a little label program to print all the labels I need. So now here I am with a new Mac trying to do the same. It is one of the first days now that I am giving Address Book a closer look as it is the native application to which most other applications feed into as far as I understand it. Mail uses Address Book. But like Access being my startpoint from which the rest flows... I doubt the Address Book will be able to replace that. But what I have been doing for 11 years on my windows machine like keeping records and printing labels and envelopes I was hoping that that IS kinda a basic common thing most people would do with their Ghz rockets. My girlfriend could not change the fonts in her return address on envelope per line from her Address Book printing envelopes option, which made my eyebrows go up... Do I STILL need to go to a program like Filemaker to have as my mother database from where all the data goes to a specific label printing software ap. or envelope printing ap..?

Thanks,
Jan

earthsaver - Dec 8, 2007 - 11:25 pm

If you need a full blown database app, FileMaker is the way to go, and that's about as far as I can help you on that. However, Address Book, along with a few other accessories ought to simplify your mailing needs. For a full-featured app, try BeLight's Mail Factory, which supports Address Book and a slew of other file formats. If you prefer to try simpler, freeware apps, take a look at pearLabelizer and Easy Envelopes, or search VersionTracker for alternatives.

jverschu - Dec 9, 2007 - 11:17 am

Goodmorning Ben,
Well the thing is that I do not need the full power of a relational database application like Filemaker or Access. I had Access and I used it. All I do need to be able to do is to keep track of data that apparently is not possible in Address Book. I am weighing my options here. I need however first of all to get my data into Address Book as it connects with Mail. As mentioned the import went not as I expected. I have all the field headers lined up and with some additional lining up of the fields I was on my way to import. I seem to having to click through, file by file, clicking OK, click to the next one etc. The few OK clicks I have gone through imported nothing. Does the import only happen after reviewing the LAST (624th) file??
Filemaker and Leopard seem to have problems. BENTO is now what I see is the Filemaker version that is coming for Leopard. What is Bento, how does it differ from Filemaker? I do NOT want a specific program for a specific OS from which I later on in the future can go nowhere with my data again. Probably won't but I am very hesitant on the SPECIFIC custom designed stuff... Printing labels and envelops was a no go in Access. VERY limited. MSWorks is way more powerful there, surprisingly enough.
Other thought regarding all this. Does Apple offer a very MSWorks like package like AppleWorks or something?? I do have some reports in Access which are so nice and easy to update but I may be able to compromise on that as long as I can use a simple database still as my main point for data keeping. When label and envelop printing would be included in AppleWorks I may be able to get away with that. The other thing I am contemplating is having windows on this macmini as that way, I have less investments to do and KNOW it works BUT it will make life more complicated having to keep both sides uptodate. So what is the MSWorks equivalent on the Apple side capable of maybe?
A lot of thoughts to go through here on a Sunday morning.
Thanks,
Jan

earthsaver - Dec 9, 2007 - 2:58 pm

The new equivalent to AppleWorks is iWork. Retailing for $79, this includes Pages (word processing, page layout), Keynote (presentation support slideshows), and Numbers (spreadsheet). Each of these handles importing and exporting the latest and older versions of MS Office apps—Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, respectively.

Regarding your failing Address Book import: I just exported my entire address book (880 contacts) to a text file and then imported it into my Guest account's address book to to refresh my memory of the interface. The first entry was the template so I could properly assign the fields to import and then I checked a few and clicked OK when I was sure all would be okay. Import worked smoothly and left me with everything in its place. If this isn't working for you, I'd like to offer to share your screen to troubleshoot directly. Since you're using Leopard, screen sharing is easy … via iChat. If you want, you can email me an AIM or Gmail username to use to connect with you, and a time or two best to do it.

Did you take a look at Mail Factory? I don't think Pages handles envelopes and labels as well as it does.

jverschu - Dec 10, 2007 - 1:23 pm

Hi Ben,

YES let's do a "screen grab" and you show me where I am going wrong. We may do that tonight probably. I rarely use iChat, but my username or whatever they call it is jverschu. I will confirm with you later on whether I have time tonight or not. I am looking at Mail Factory, need to research it more. Your VersionTracker also gives me work to do, THANKS. I must be able to print my labels from a database. I am a rose grower and used this Labels Unlimited on the windows side for my label printing which worked from a database. MailFactory will work with Address Book I think. So I will still need to work like I did on my old windows machine... BUT at the same time I have downloaded the preview thing for Bento. AS: when Bento can do ALL what AddressBook and MailFactory AND what my label printing needs are, I may get more value for money to STILL go back to one relational database program which multi capabilities. Access could ONLY not print decently... So that is what we are finding compensation for now. Need to do a step back and research stuff here properly.
We'll get in touch regarding the Address Book import.
Thanks
Jan