Can I change Address Book's default setup?

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Level 2

280 points

Can I change Address Book's default setup?

I want to import my entire address book database from Palm Desktop to Apple Address Book (only about 5,000 entries in total).
I have several fields in the Palm Desktop database that don't match the Address Book default setup. In Address Book, I went to Card> Add Field> Edit Template but the changes I made there to the Template didn't actually seem to change anything in the actual Address Book display of addresses, even though I made several changes in the Edit Template function - it was as though the changes I made in the template editing function had no effect at all. The changes I made are still there when I revisit the Edit Template function but the additions and alterations don't show in the final address display.

1. Where did my changes to that Template go in respect to the actual display of the addresses?

2. Is there some way to apply my edited template to all the entries in Address Book in one fell swoop?

3. If not, then why have the Edit Template function at all?

I've done some trial runs using a tab-delimited file exported from Palm Desktop, which Address Book seems to import and work with happily... except for this inability to choose my edited template for the new entries - Address Book forces the new database into Address Book's own Template with none of my chosen changes. It's as though the template edit function is just for show but with no real functionality.

I hope this is all making sense...
This is an great time for me to make sweeping changes if necessary (if it is possible or if it helps) since I'm beginning a totally new database in Address Book from scratch.

Many thanks for any help.

AlBook G4 15/1.67, Mac OS X (10.4.6), 80GB, 1GB RAM, SuperDriveDL

Posted on May 1, 2006 5:08 AM

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Answer 1

Sijmons

Level 4

2,095 points

May 1, 2006 12:27 PM in response to PaulWR

Paul,

I'm afraid you will loose some of your data that you can insert in your Palm when you transfer to AddressBook, but you can try to get in as much as possible. Especially the custom fields are much more flexible in Palm.

But in the end, the full integration of AB in your Mail and Calender, backup to .Mac etc. may offset these drawbacks.

When you set up a template, did you actually complete one address record?
If not, you should.

When you want to import to AB from a tab-delimited file, try this program
Addressbook Importer, an excellent piece of freeware that will do this for you.

In the top row before you import, make sure you have an address record that has all your customized fields completed in a way you know which field that is (you can do this in Palm, using the name A. AAA, address etc.)
Now when you use the importer, you can make sure wich field goes where.

Backup your Palm data well before you start experimenting. I wouldn't want to be the cause of you dropping 5000 records. Also, disable all syncing when you start. Once it works, make a backup from within the AB application. Then when all looks OK, you can start syncing using iSync instead of Hotsync.

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Answer 2

PaulWR Author

Level 2

280 points

May 1, 2006 5:33 PM in response to Sijmons

That sounds perfect, thank you. I'll take those steps and get back to you with results. Thanks again.

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Answer 3

PaulWR Author

Level 2

280 points

May 5, 2006 10:57 AM in response to Sijmons

Hi 'Sijmons'
Thanks for the suggestions. Entering info into a 'first card' on the new template did indeed work... well mostly. Some fields still didn;t hold through the import which i tried several times.
Ultimately, I've used Address Book Importer as you suggested and found it absolutely perfect! Thank you for the guide on that. I was able to configured the transfer of data from palm Desktop to Address Book to lose none at all of my info. I achieved that by creating many custom fields ABI. I'd recommend ABI to anyone for its functionality and ease of use delivering exactly what it promises, plus more in my case. I thought it was worth paying for and I did, even though it can be used free.
Thanks again.
Paul

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