Use Outlook 97/98/2000 to Dial Local Calls Requiring Area Codes 

Having trouble when you use Microsoft Outlook® to dial voice or fax telephone numbers that are stored with your Outlook contacts? One common problem is dialing local calls that require an area code.

In many locales, you must dial the area code along with the number, even if the call is not a toll call. You may even have to add the area code when you call numbers that have the same area code as your own. However, regardless of what version of Outlook you're using, Microsoft Windows® dials any number that includes an area code as a long distance call.

You can avoid the frustration and wasted time of making calls that don't go through by enabling Outlook to recognize those telephone numbers as local instead of long distance. The way you do this depends on which version of Windows your computer is running.

Include a Local Area Code When Dialing with Microsoft Windows 98

To include local area codes

1. On the Actions menu, point to Call Contact, and then click New Call.
2. Click the Dialing Properties button.
3. Click the Area Code Rules button.
4. Select the Always dial the area code (10-digit dialing) check box. This enables Outlook to recognize that numbers with the same area code as your own are local calls.
5. Under When calling to other area codes, click the New button. In the box, type each area code that is a local call for you. After each one you type, click OK, and then click the New button. Each area code you type will be added to the Do not dial 1 for numbers with the following area codes box.

Include a Local Area Code When Dialing with Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT version 4.x

To use local area codes when dialing with Windows 95 or Windows NT® 4.x, you must first verify that the phone numbers in your Outlook contacts are entered in the following format: Type the international code +1, your own area code in parentheses, and then the area code and number of the contact. For example, if your area code is 212, and the number you want to call has the area code 718, you would enter the number in your contacts list as:

+1 (212) 718-555-0112