Outlook lets you set the default full name order in Options. You can choose between 'First (Middle) Last' or 'Last First' (no comma separator), as well as 'First Last1 Last2'.

The traditional format of 'Last, First', with a comma separator, is also supported by default. Outlook is smart enough to properly assign the names to the correct fields when you enter a name using 'Last, First' format.

However, it's really easy to get the fields switched when you don't realize the default order is not the same order you are entering names in the full name field and aren't using a comma.

It's just as easy to swap the names into the correct fields using VBA.

Macro to Swap First and Last Names

This code places the first name field in the User3 field and the last name in the User 4 field, then puts the value in the User4 field into the first name field and the User 3 field in the first name field. The same process can be used to move a last name out of the .MiddleName field.

If you are using the User3 and User4 fields for data, you'll need to use a different field to hold the values. Note: You really only need one field to hold the first name field, then you can move the last name into the first name field. I use both fields and keep the names in the fields so I have a record of what the original values were but you can erase the values using the macro, if desired.

Tip: to check to see if the user fields are being used, you can add the fields to a list view and look over the list.

This code is designed to run on selected contacts in any contacts folder. You need to select the contacts that need changed before running the code.

Public Sub SwapFirstLastNames()
    Dim currentExplorer As Explorer
    Dim Selection As Selection
    Dim obj As Object
  
    Set currentExplorer = Application.ActiveExplorer
    Set Selection = currentExplorer.Selection

    On Error Resume Next

    For Each obj In Selection
        'Test for contact and not distribution list
        If obj.Class = olContact Then
            Set objContact = obj

     With objContact

          If .FirstName <> "" Then
          Let .User3 = .FirstName
          
          If .LastName <> "" Then
          Let .User4 = .LastName
          
          
        .FirstName = .User4
        .LastName = .User3
        .Save
         
      'If you don't want to keep the values in the user fields for tracking purposes,
      ' uncomment these two lines. I recommend keeping the names in the user fields
      
       ' .User3 = ""
       ' .User4 = ""
       ' .Save
        End If
        End If
     End With
        End If

     Err.Clear
    Next

    Set obj = Nothing
    Set objContact = Nothing
End Sub

Merging Middle and Last Name Fields

While you can use a macro to move a name from the middle name field into the last name field as two last names, note that its more complicated to split two names into the Middle and Last name fields so do this with caution.

While you don't need to use a User field to hold the MiddleName, it will make it easier to split the names back into two fields using VBA if you make a mistake (and kept the names in the User fields).

          If .MiddleName <> "" Then
          Let .User3 = .MiddleName 
          If .LastName <> "" Then
          Let .User4 = .LastName
          
        .LastName = .User3 & "" & .User4
        .MiddleName = ""
        .Save