Can you right click your Contacts Folder | Properties | Outlook address book
and tick the box to enable as an Outlook Address book?

If not, go back and set up an address book: Tools | Email Accounts - set up
an address book. Then follow my directions above.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote in message
...
I would suggest making sure you have the Outlook Address Book Service
installed in your profile and configured to include the Contacts Folder(s)
you wish to search.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"David" wrote in message
...
I've used the search contact box in the outlook contact toolbox 'type a
contact to find', and a dialogue box occurs saying Outlook could not find
the
requested contact. This happens for any contact and i haven't been able
to
find any, even when working within the contact folder with the contact
name
right in front of me.

Any advice / suggestions greatly appreciated!!