Create and share contacts as Electronic Business Cards (2024)

You can build an Electronic Business Card from new information, or you can base a new card on an existing one. If you want to create multiple Electronic Business Cards that share some common contact information, it might be easier to change an existing card. For example, you might want to have three cards—one for work, one for home use, and one for a club membership.

Before you add or change the contact information, choose the layout and background for your card. Add any pictures or other graphics. Each element helps you position the text when you add contact information.

1. In Outlook 2010, in Contacts, on the Home tab, in the New group, choose New Contact.

   

   In Outlook 2007, in Contacts, click New > Contact.

2. In the contact form, click Business Card to open the Edit Business Card box.

3. Under Card Design, in the Layout drop-down list choose a layout. A Text Only layout is available for a card with no picture, logo, or other image.

   Note:When you start, the default Outlook card layout is visible in the preview box next to the Card Design section. You can also use this image and the layout choices for your card.

4. If you want a background color for the card, choose Background, and then choose a color.

5. If you want to add an image, such as a picture or company logo, use the image options to add, size, and position the image.

Note:To delete the default or other image on the card, select Text Only in the Layout list. To remove all added information and start over, choose Reset Card.

1. To remove a field from the card, choose the field, and then choose Remove.

2. To add empty line spaces, choose the field above where you want the empty space, and then choose Add > Blank Line.

   Tip:By default, empty line spaces on a card show as Blank Line fields. As you add information to the card, you can add new information fields between the Blank Line fields. For example, choose Blank Line > Add, and then choose a field. The field appears beneath the blank line.

3. To position text on the card, choose a field, and under the Fields list, use the Up and Down arrows to move the fields. You can also move blank lines this way to add more space between lines of text.

4. To format text, use the formatting and style buttons under Edit.

Note:If you choose Reset Card, the card reverts to the default Outlook design and the information that is entered in the default fields on the contact form.

1. In an open message, right-click the card, and then choose Add to Outlook Contacts.

2. On the Contact tab, in the Actions group, choose Save & Close.

3. If a duplicate contact name is detected, do one of the following:

   • Choose Add new contact to create a new contact.

   • Choose Update information of selected Contact to see a list of existing duplicate contacts.

     Tip:You can double-click a contact, update the information on the contact form, and then save it.

The new contact information is saved in Contacts and includes an Electronic Business Card. You can change the contact information at any time.

1. In the message header, double-click the .vcf file attachment to open the card in a contact form in Contacts.

2. On the Contacts tab, in the Actions group, choose Save & Close.

   Note:If you already have a contact with the same name, when you choose Save & Close, you can add a new contact or update an existing contact.

In the Actions group, you can choose Save & New. This action saves the contact, and then opens a new, empty contact form.

1. In a new message, on the Message tab, in the Include group, choose Attach Item > Business Card, and then choose a name in the list.

2. If you don't see the name that you want, cchoose Other Business Cards, choose the name in the Filed As list, and then choose OK.

   

   Notes:

   • The Business Card menu includes the last 10 contact names that were inserted as Electronic Business Cards in messages.

   • You can insert multiple Electronic Business Cards in a message.

   • To help distinguish between duplicate names on the Business Card menu, choose Other Business Cards. More information appears, including a card preview, in the Insert Business Card dialog box.

   • If you drag a business card from Business Cards view into a new message, only a .vcf file is included when the message is sent. This attached .vcf file opens the contact form with all the information that the recipient can save to a contact list.

By adding your Electronic Business Card to your email signature, your contact information is included in each message that you send. An email signature can contain only an Electronic Business Card. Recipients can right-click the card in the signature (or right-click the .vcf file) to save it directly to their contacts list.

1. In a new message, on the Message tab, in the Include group, choose Signature > Signatures.

   

2. On the E-mail Signature tab, under Select signature to edit, choose the signature to which you want to add a business card.

   If you want to build a new signature, choose New, type a name for the signature, and then click OK. Then click the name of the new signature in the Select signature to edit list.

3. In the Edit Signature box, type the text that you want to include in the signature.

4. To add an Electronic Business Card, place your cursor where you want the card to appear in the signature text, choose Business Card, and then choose a contact name on the Filed As list. Choose OK.