In Outlook, you can fill in a large number of data fields for contacts, whereas in the FritzBox, only a few data fields are available for contacts (see Table 1). It therefore makes sense to manage contacts primarily in Outlook. However, it is certainly often the case that you want to enter a new contact while making a call with a device connected to the FritzBox and then transfer it to Outlook later.

Table 1 compares the contact data relevant for import and export from Outlook and the FritzBox:

Outlook Fields	FritzBox Fields	Remarks
Title	Name	The name of the FritzBox contact can consist of a first name, optionally one or more middle names and the last name. Optionally, the title can also be placed in front of it.
First and Middle Names
Last Name
Home Phone	Private
Mobile Phone	Mobile
Business Phone (2)	Business
not available	Speed Dial	will not be considered
Photo	Photo	will not be considered

Table 1: Contact Data Outlook-Fritzbox

The Outlook-FritzBox-Addin can be used in classic Outlook to export contacts from an Outlook contacts folder to an XML file or import them from an XML file to an Outlook contacts folder. This XML file corresponds to the format used by the FritzBox to back up and restore address books. The FritzBox address book restore function overwrites existing entries. The FritzBox does not offer a function for adding contacts from a file to an existing address book. Nevertheless, you can use the FritzBox backup and restore function and this add-in to perform the following types of contact exchange between Outlook and the Fritzbox:

• Export (back up) all contacts from an existing FritzBox address book.
  Here you can find detailed instructions how to do this.
   
• Import the exported FritzBox contacts into an Outlook folder.
  All existing contacts in the Outlook folder will be retained. Duplicate contacts will be merged. Here you can find detailed instructions how to do this.
   
• Export all contacts from an Outlook folder.
  Here you can find detailed instructions how to do this.
   
• Import (restore) exported contacts into a FritzBox address book.
  This will overwrite an existing FritzBox address book. Here you can find detailed instructions how to do this.
   
• Merge all contacts of an Outlook folder with the existing contacts in an XML file.
  This allows you to merge previously saved FritzBox contacts with the contacts of one or more Outlook folders. Duplicate contacts will be merged. Here you can find detailed instructions how to do this.

The import and export functions of the add-in basically merge duplicate contacts. Contacts with the same full name are considered duplicates. The full name of a FritzBox contact consists of the first name and last name. Multiple middle names are possible. Optionally, the title can also be added before the name. All these name parts are separated by spaces.

Falls ein Kontakt keinen Vornamen hat, ist es sinnvoll, die Anrede als Teil des vollen Namen zu verwenden. Damit das Addin die Anrede beim Import erkennt und beim Export verwendet, muss eine entsprechende Option in der Oberfläche angekreuzt werden. Außerdem müssen folgende Konventionen beachtet werden:

A title is recognized in the full name of a FritzBox contact if the following conditions apply:

• The full name consists of at least two words separated by spaces.
• The first word either contains no more than two characters or ends with a period.

Examples of recognized titles are: "Ms", "Mr", "Dr.", and "Prof." in the following full names: "Ms Meier", "Mr Anton Huber", "Dr. Schiwago", and "Prof. Ernesto Hirnbeiss."

The add-in can only be installed in Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2012. The “new” Outlook and Outlook on the web are not supported.

KubiConsult wishes you good success in importing and exporting FritzBox contacts!

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