How to Call an Outlook Contact on Skype

You can import contacts from most email applications into Skype and then call contacts from your computer without re-entering the names. Here's how to call an Outlook contact on Skype:

Instructions

Import Your Outlook Contacts Before Calling Them

1. Select "Contacts" from the menu along the top of your Skype application window.

2. Select "Import Contacts" from the drop-down menu that appears.

3. Click "Start."

4. Select the address book you wish to import (Microsoft Office Outlook for most users).

5. Follow the prompts to import your Outlook contacts.

Talking to Outlook Contacts

1. After you import your Outlook contacts, the system sends an invitation to every person in your address book who is not already a Skype user. As these people join Skype, their names and contact information will appear on your Contacts list.

2. Click the "Contacts" tab (it features a picture of a human silhouette) in the main section of your Skype window. The tab appears to the left of the "Dial" tab, which features a picture of a telephone.

3. Find the contact information for the person you want to contact. To make a call, double-click that person's name. If there is no answer, leave a message.

Create a Temporary Contact

1. Until your Outlook contacts join Skype, you can temporarily create a new contact for each of them. Select "Contacts" from the horizontal menu bar along the top of your Skype application.

2. Choose "Add a Contact" from the menu that appears.

3. Click the blue link labeled "To add a Skype contact, click here."

4. Enter your contact's name and telephone number, including area code.

5. Click "Add Number."

6. Confirm that your contact has been added by viewing your "Contacts" tab. This is the one containing the human silhouette.

Tips & Warnings

• Although you won't be able to import your distribution lists into Skype from Outlook, you can create a new group in Skype. Click the "Show Contact Groups" button on the menu bar, create a new group and then drag contacts into the group.