Phone number format
How can i stop Contacts from autoformatting phone numbers? It doesn't seem to matter which region I specify in settings it always registers phone numbers in a strange format: the first two numbers together then a space. Why can't I just manually format ?
I think this is a great question. I believe it used to be possible. The only way I know of now, is to use a custom field (like "Department"), change the label, and use it as if it were a phone number. It's hokey but it works.
"Why can't I just manually format?" You are not alone. See this thread: apple discussion
After some googling and experimentation, I have found what I believe are the intended methods of entering phone numbers are:
- Type the number without a country code and OS X (and iOS) will format it with your computer's region/country settings.
- Type the number with a country code (and a space) in front and the computer will format it based on the standard formatting for that country.
Some examples (I live in Australia):
0345678910 -> 03 4567 8910 (AU landline format)
0456789012 -> 0456 789 012 (AU mobile format)
+61 0345678910 -> +61 (0)3 4567 8910 (+61 is AU country code)
+61 345678910 -> +61 3 3567 8910 (I think this is more correct than previous line)
+1 2345678901 -> +1 (234) 567-8901 (USA)
+33 123456789 -> +33 1 23 45 67 89 (France)
No doubt, it isn't prefect. But then some people don't know the officially correct formats for their own country.
Wikipedia has pages for numbering in every country.