Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016

You can use the Outlook Address Book—a collection of address books or address lists created from your contact folders—to look up and select names, email addresses, and distribution lists when you address email messages.

If you use Outlook with an Exchange Server account, your address book list will include the Global Address List (GAL). The GAL contains the names and email addresses of everyone that has an account with that Exchange Server and is configured automatically by Exchange.

What would you like to do?

The default view of an address book typically is the Global Address Book (GAL).

  1. On the Home tab, in the Find group, choose Address Book.

    Address Books list

  2. In the Address Book list, choose the address book you want to view.

  1. On the File tab, click Account Settings > Account Settings.

    Options available when you choose account settings in Outlook

  2. In the Account Settings dialog box, on the Address Books tab, click New.

    Existing address books are listed.

  3. You're prompted to select one of two types of address books:

    • Add an address book by using an Internet directory service (LDAP)

      • Click Internet Directory Service (LDAP), and then click Next.

      • In the Server name box, type the name of the server that was provided by your Internet service provider or system administrator.

      • If the server that you specified is password-protected, select the This server requires me to log on check box, and then type your user name and password.

      • Click More Settings.

      • Under Display Name, type the name for the LDAP address book that you want to be displayed in the Address Book list in the Address Book dialog box.

      • Under Connection Details, type the port number provided by your Internet service provider (ISP) or system administrator.

      • Click the Search tab, and then change the server settings as needed.

      • Under Search Options, if the Search base box is empty, type the distinguished names that were provided by your administrator.

      • Click OK, click Next, and then click Finish.

    • Add an additional address book

      • Click Additional Address Books, and then click Next.

      • Click the address book that you want to add, and then click Next.

  4. Exit and restart Outlook to use the address book that you added.

For ​​​​​​​Outlook 2016, see Create an address book for more information.

  1. On the File tab, click Account Settings > Account Settings.

    Options available when you choose account settings in Outlook

  2. On the Address Books tab, click the address book that you want to remove, and then click Remove.

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