How to set default/primary email/phone/address in Address Book?

Question

How to set default/primary email/phone/address in Address Book?

I've scoured the internet for a way to set the default email/phone number in Apple's Address Book application. NOTHING seems to work. I've tried the Edit > Edit Distribution List... option. It doesn't seem to do anything at all. I've even tried installing third party plugins as suggested in this thread...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9409263&#9409263

None of it works. Anyone have suggestions?

PowerMac G5 2x2Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.7), 2 Gig RAM

Posted on Jun 11, 2009 7:53 PM

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Answer 1

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Jun 11, 2009 9:03 PM in response to Brian S. Campbell

there are no default emails/addresses in AB and consequently there is no way to set them up. edit distribution list works for picking an email to use when sending to a group. it affects only that particular group.

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Answer 2

Jun 11, 2009 9:08 PM in response to V.K.

in my experience "Edit Distribution List..." does not work at all...from my searching on here it seems others have that same experience. The Edit Distribution List function is exactly what i need to work. I have people in several groups who I have multiple email addresses for and it always defaults to the wrong address...

And what about phone numbers? I know AB has a concept of primary/default phone numbers. They're even marked with a little star on my iPhone...eventhough I have NO way of changing them. Argh!

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Answer 3

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Jun 11, 2009 9:14 PM in response to Brian S. Campbell

Brian S. Campbell wrote:
in my experience "Edit Distribution List..." does not work at all...from my searching on here it seems others have that same experience.

works fine here.

The Edit Distribution List function is exactly what i need to work. I have people in several groups who I have multiple email addresses for and it always defaults to the wrong address...

And what about phone numbers? I know AB has a concept of primary/default phone numbers. They're even marked with a little star on my iPhone...

I don't have an iphone but I'm quite sure OS X Address book has no concept of primary phone numbers. iphone AB might.

eventhough I have NO way of changing them. Argh!

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Answer 4

Jun 11, 2009 9:29 PM in response to V.K.

It seems the problem is it doesn't work on Smart Groups...if i create a standard group and add the same people, THEN it works. Annoying...

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