In a previous Question of the Week email, I listed a number of computing-related things you could do while stuck at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. One of those items was to clean out your address book.

In the “old days” we used address books like the one pictured above on the left. Today, however, those books are almost obsolete. Instead, we use address books associated with our email or with other online accounts. Electronic address books are great but there are some challenges. Often, we have more than one address book and that can become confusing. For instance, I have an address book in my Microsoft Office Outlook software but I also have an address book in my American Greetings account.

When it comes to multiple address books, I like to categorize them as “primary” and “secondary” books. For me, my Outlook address book would be my primary list of contacts. In this book, I would put all the information I need about a contact and I’d put as much info as I can. My American Greeting address book would be a secondary book that, basically, only lists a person’s name, email address, birthday and, perhaps, anniversary. I don’t fill in phone numbers, street addresses, etc. I supply just enough information to send a person a birthday card, anniversary card, etc.

Regardless of how many address books you have, these books tend to become cluttered. How? Well, there are often duplicates with the exact information or perhaps some information under one listing and other information under a different listing. Additionally, I often see customers’ address books with contacts still listed who have passed away. Of course, there’s also incorrect email addresses or mis-spellings of real names. My own last name is often wrong – it’s G-R-U-B-B not G-R-U-B.

Now, is a perfect time to get your address books cleaned up. As I mentioned above, decide which book is going to be your primary one and start with that one. Then, if you have secondary address books, work to get them in good shape, too.

Best of luck!