Shared contacts aren't auto populating

Question

I have a folder of contacts that I have shared with my team. While these contacts will auto populate for me when creating a new email, the contacts do not auto populate for them when they create a new email. Does anyone know why? Auto populate is turned on. Is it a permissions issue? Thanks!

Answer 1

Dear Brittany S.，

Thanks for your reply!

For this issue, I used my Microsoft 365 for business account to do some test, when sharing the contacts, since it's a folder accessing/editing permission shared to another user, the other use will have permission to use the contacts. But for the autocomplete/suggested contacts feature, the contact will not be added into the list automatically, it's a design limitation.

I did some research on the autocomplete/suggested contacts and would like to share some information about it:

These suggestions are broken into two categories:Recent PeopleandOther Suggestions*. The names and addresses that appear inRecent Peopleare stored in theAuto-Complete List. The names and addresses that appear inOther Suggestionsare generated within the Microsoft 365 Service using information indexed from the sender’s previous communications.*

More information please refer to the document: Manage suggested recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc boxes with Auto-Complete - Microsoft Support

We can see that if you need the shared contacts be added into autocomplete/suggested contacts, you might need to send some emails to these contacts, then wait for some period, the contacts would be auto populating when you send emails in the future.

I hope the information can be useful. If there is any update or I misunderstand you, please feel free to let me know. I will continue to assist you. Your understanding and co-operation are highly appreciated.

Thanks for your precious time. Have a nice day!

Sincerely,

Sherry | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Hello!

Thank you for getting back to me.

1. I am using a Microsoft 365 for business account
2. I am using an application, version 2301
3. I've never had to turn "on" auto populate. Whenever I create a new email, I have always been able to type in an email address and have it populate. I'm wondering if it's an issue between Global Contacts and personal contacts.

Thanks again!

Answer 3

Dear Brittany S.，

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to assist you.

Based on your description, you are having issue with shared contacts aren't auto populating when creating a new emails.

To better understand and investigate your issue, I may need some more detailed information from your side so that I can narrow down the issue in right way:

1. What account are you using? A Microsoft365 account or an outlook.com personal account?
2. Are you using Outlook Web (login from https://outlook.office365.com/mail) or Outlook desktop client? If it's client version, will you please share me the detailed version information? Please open What version of Outlook do I have? - Microsoft Support, follow the steps to check the information.
3. Will you please send me a sceenshot when the contact "auto populate" when you create emails? How did you turn on the "auto populate" funtion? I need to confirm the detailed information about this funtion, if this "suggest contact" or "autocomplete" funtion...

The information above is useful to futher working on this issue, we are looking forward to your next reply with the information.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Sherry | Microsoft Community Moderator