Method depends on you version, which you should always post.
For most, you'd do so he
Tools E-mail accounts View or change existing directories or address
books Outlook Address Book Change. Set your sort order there
Be sure to restart Outlook.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Viceversa" wrote in message
...
I am using Outlook as my e-mail manager for the first time. How can I get
the
"last, first name" list style when I view my Mail address books ?

In "Contacts, Tools, e-mail accounts" I select "Show names by File As
(Smith, John)", but from the "Mail" window the directory is still sorted
by
first, last name !

Thank you so much, anyone who will help.