I had the same problem and gained access by deleting and adding the outlook
address book as suggested and it worked, so thanks. - except that I now have
to choose "contacts" from a list of Outlook address book, personal address
book and contacts. Didn't have to do this before. Also where do I find the
"contacts folder" you suggest right clicking on?
cdbits

"Diane Poremsky [MVP]" wrote:

If you have Contacts in the Contacts folder but they are not accessible when
you click on the To button, check these settings:

Make sure the Contact folder is enabled as an email address book. Right
click the Contacts folder, choose Properties then Outlook Address Book. Is
the box to enable as email address book is checked?

If this is grayed out...

Go to Tools | Email Accounts, choose View or change existing directories or
address book. Is the Outlook Address Book present? If it isn't listed, add
it and close and restart Outlook. If it is listed, then remove it and close
then restart Outlook and repeat these steps to add it.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Author, Google and Other Search Engines (Visual QuickStart Guide)

Outlook Tips: http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com
Join OneNote Tips mailing list: http://www.onenote-tips.net/


"jimw" wrote in message
...
i recently reinstalled outlook 2003. since doing so i am unable to choose
the
"address list", where I could before, able to select an email address and
send it to the; To: block of the out going email.

When I try and open the address list, I get a notice that "the address
list
could not be displayed. contact folder could not be opened, etc."

my only recourse is to manually open "contacts", bring up a particular
"person", copy and paste the email address to the To: block.

thank you