OL97: "Doesn't Contain" in Find May Give Unexpected Results

ID: Q172675

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Outlook, when you use the Advanced Find to look for Contacts and specify different values for the name field using the "Doesn't Contain" condition, the search results may include those values you intended to exclude.

RESOLUTION

To get the results you want, use one of the following methods.

Use AND Criteria

Set the search criteria using the following example:

1. On the Tools menu, click Find Items and click the Advanced tab.

2. Click Field, point to All Mail Fields, and click From.

3. Under Condition, click Doesn't Contain.

4. In the Value box type John (space) Jane, and click Add To List.

5. Click Find Now.

With this search criteria, Outlook assumes an AND function between the names, finding contacts that don't contain John AND that don't contain Jane.

Use a Category Field

Assign a category to each Contact, then use the category name in the Doesn't Contain field.

To assign a category, follow these steps:

1. Click the Contacts icon in the Outlook Bar.

2. On the Contacts menu, click New Contact.

3. Type the pertinent information for the person, and click Categories

   at the bottom of the Contact form.

4. Click to select the Category name you want. To create a new Category,

    in "Item(s) belong to these categories," type your new Category name,
    click Add To list, click OK, and click Save And Close.

5. On the Tools menu, click Find Items, and then click the Advanced tab.

6. Click Field, point to Frequently-used fields, and click Categories.

7. Under Condition, click Doesn't Contain.

8. In the Value box, type the Category name, and click Add To List.

9. Click Find Now.

Additional query words: identical exclude sort boolean

Keywords          : GnlCont 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999