KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q146024: XCLN: Ambiguous Name Resolution Methods

Article: Q146024
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): 4.0 5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage
Last Modified: 15-MAR-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Exchange MS-DOS client, versions 4.0, 5.0 
- Microsoft Exchange Windows 3.x client, versions 4.0, 5.0 
- Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client, versions 4.0, 5.0 
- Microsoft Exchange Windows 95/98 client, versions 4.0, 5.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The Microsoft Exchange clients allow you to enter an alias on the To: line
instead of the complete address of a user. The Microsoft Exchange client will
attempt to resolve the alias to the full address. If there are multiple matching
entries, it will display them and allow you to select the correct address. This
feature is call Ambiguous Name Resolution (ANR).

MORE INFORMATION
================

There are two ways to enter alias names on the To: line. The correct one to
choose depends on how broadly you want the Microsoft Exchange client to search
the address book.

- With just the ALIAS (TO: ALIAS) - If you choose this option, the client will
  search the entire selected address book for any Surnames, DisplayNames,
  Aliases, Offices, or EmailAddresses that match the alias entered. This will
  include partial matches. If multiple addresses are located, the Microsoft
  Exchange client will display the CHECK NAMES window and allow the user to
  select the correct address.

  Example: If 'ADAMS' is entered on the To: line, the Microsoft Exchange client
  will search the locations listed above and list all items that match ADAMS
  along with partial matches like ADAMSON.

- With an equal sign (=) preceding the ALIAS (TO: =ALIAS) - If you choose this
  option, the Microsoft Exchange client will search the entire selected address
  book for any Surnames, DisplayNames, Aliases, Offices, or EmailAddresses that
  match the alias entered. This will not include partial matches. If multiple
  addresses are located, the Microsoft Exchange client will display the CHECK
  NAMES window and allow the user to select the correct address.

  Example: If '=ADAMS' is entered on the To: line, the Microsoft Exchange client
  will search the locations listed above and list all items that match ADAMS
  but NOT partial names like ADAMSON.

Additional query words: faq

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbusage 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange400 kbExchangeClientSearch kbZNotKeyword kbZNotKeyword2 kbZNotKeyword3 kbExchange400DOS kbExchange500DOS kbExchange400NT kbExchange500NT kbExchange400Win95 kbExchange500Win95
Version           : 4.0 5.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.