Delete Address Book Duplicates with less info?

I was wondering how you would go about deleting duplicate contacts in Address Book 4.0.3? I want to keep the contacts I have which contain at least the "Company" field filled in (contacts with more info) but then delete the ones with less. If a bunch of vCards have the same name but different email addresses will will they merge into only one vCard (by default I think another program put multiple emails with the same name and when I merged vCards there was only one email address for that name)? Should I merge the ones I don't want?
What do you guys think is the best solution? Should I merge the cards and make sure the names of the contacts are all different (except the ones I'm merging)? Use some other program? Please respond if you have an idea because I don't. Thanks.

They also sometimes appear with a dash or minus sign infront of them.

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Deleting Address Book Notes with Automator

I imported all my contacts from Yahoo and now there's a bunch of jibberish under all my contacts notes...well most of them. Is there anything I can run from automator to delete all notes from all contacts? I don't need any notes. Thanks!

paste the following into AppleScript Editor (it's in /Applications/Utilities) and press "run".
<pre style="
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
width: 720px;
color: #000000;
background-color: #ADD8E6;
overflow: auto;"
title="this text can be pasted into the Script Editor">
tell application "Address Book"
repeat with per in people
set note of per to ""
save
end repeat
end tell</pre>
Note: it might take a while for it to finish working if you have a lot of contacts.

Why can't I edit or delete Address Book "On My Mac" or sync with iCloud?

Why can't I edit or delete Address Book cards on my Macs, now that I've migrated to iCloud? I can edit/delete if I go to iCloud, but the changes don't sync with my Macs. What's happening, and what's a solution? Just wait for Apple to fix a bug?

On your mac, if your look at the left panel of the Address Book, you'll find general categories of "iCloud" and possibly "On my mac" - if you have contacts in the latter, then they are only local to your mac, they are not shared with iCloud. If you don't have an "iCloud" category, then your mac(s) is not set up of iCloud. Go to system preferences and look in iCloud. Is the mac signed into iCloud, are contacts turned on for syncing?

TS2755 Is there a fix to deleting already deleted address book contact, from messages search? i.e. when you type in say letter c in messages search, all contact with a c, past already deleted and current all appear? How do you make the old deleted ones a

Is there a fix to deleting already deleted address book contact, from messages search? i.e. when you type in say letter c in messages search, all contact with a c, past already deleted and current all appear? How do you make the old deleted ones appear?

only way is to restore the phone as new. OR wait until IOS 7 comes out in the fall.

Address Book duplicates some names.

The address book duplicates parts of the names of those I sent to.
Example:
Babineau Babineau Cheryl
Currier Nita D. Currier D.
Miller Harvey Harvey
But not every person to whom I send has their name duplicated as above.
I have used "Edit" on these and cleaned them up many time and finalize with Save. Duplicates always reappear. I want this to stop.
Using: Address Bk 4.0.3 and 10.4.6
iMac, G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

With AB open and active, click TM in the dock to enter it. Go back in the timeline until the addresses you are looking for appear in AB. Select all addresses you need and click restore. You will be asked then to import the addresses into AB.
Once done, I would suggest you uncheck contacts from the iCloud preferences and delete the contacts from the computer, then recheck contacts in iCloud. This will rebuild the iCloud database files on the computer and should resolve any issues if any exist.

Lion - Address Book Duplicates

Almost every one of my address book entries is duplicated. Some are identical and most of the others simply have the phone numbers in a different order. I went through a Card/Look for Duplicates. It said that it found about 2,000 duplicate entries. I told it to merge them, and it crunched for a while, but nothing seemed to change. Running it again doesn't find any duplicates, however.
I still have about 2,000 duplicate entries. If I try to manually merge two identical entries, by highlighting them both and clicking Card/Merge Selected Cards, I get the message 'The cards could not be merged because they came from different accounts'. I would really like to know *** that means.
Any help appreciated.

--russell wrote:
I posted this in another thread on Address Book duplicates and iCloud. Did this start after the iCloud hoopla? After I tried iCloud, I ended up with duplicate contacts on my computer. The "Look for Duplicates" command in Address Book gave me soemthing to the effect, "No duplicates found," which raised my blood pressure as I could see them right there.
Going to System Preferences did the trick for me. Click on iCloud under Internet & Wireless. Untick the checkbox for Contacts. You'll then be given a choice of keeping your iCloud contacts on your computer, with the options of Delete from Mac or Keep Contacts. No, you don't want to delete the contacts from your box, so choose Keep Contacts. Let it do its thing, then re-tick the Contacts checkbox.
Like I said, at least for me this solved the problem with no more duplicate entries on my box or my iPhone.
You realize that your contacts will now no longer sync between your Mac and your iPhone right?

Contact / address book duplicates

WHile led I see lots of suggestions how to fix Contact / address book duplicates - I don't know what causes them.
I only have 1 mail account - exchange. What am I doing wrong to see duplicates constantly being created?
thanks. Be gentle!

Hi, have a similar but bigger problem. card --> Look for duplicates does not solve it.
from original 2000 adresses I now have 550,000 many of them massive duplicates. Causes MASSIVE time waste and delays.
Event correlates with me installing Outlook for Mac2011 sync programme.
now want to just delete address book and sync again and stay with Mac Address/Cal and disconnect from Microsoft.
question: can I simply delete address book in Finder? what happens when I go back into it? does it get newly created?
any other suggestion how to tackle?
thanks for desperate help

Time Machine backup automatically deletes address book

I accidentally deleted all contacts in address book. When i attempt to restore the address book from time machine, the address book is restored then automatically deletes all contacts again.

In case it will help anyone else, this is the rather complicated procedure worked out with Apple Support to restore Address Book to an earlier state. Hopefully Apple will consider a switch of some sort to restart or re-initialize the contacts which would greatly simplify the procedure.
If using iCloud, uncheck Contacts box in System Preferences>iCloud
Quit Address Book
Restore Address Book folder in User/LIbrary/Application Support to previous version with Time Machine
Trash all Address Book preferences in User Library/Preferences
Log Out/In or Restart
Start Address Book and verify desired address book version is now available
If not using iCloud you are done, otherwise you need to create new Address Book Folder with current file dates that contains desired previous data
First Go to Web version of iCloud Contacts and erase all contacts
From Address Book Export vCard with All Contacts
Export vCard for each manually defined group
Quit Address Book
Trash Address Book folder in User/Library/Application Support
Trash all Address Book preferences in User Library/Preferences
Log Out/In or Restart
Start Address Book and Import vCard with All Contacts
Import vCard for each defined group one at a time and:
Check review duplicates and keep new
Select Last Import for each group and manually assign to Group Name
Re-Check Contacts box in System Preferences>iCloud
New address book should populate to iCloud and other devices

ICloud/Solution for cleaning up address book duplicates

I so identify with anyone who has this problem of having address book duplicates. Took me at least five tries to get it right!!!!
The directions that Apple gives only really work if you only have one device. There are very few articles that deal with the problem of coordinating multiple devices so it was a trial and error effort to make things work.
I have 6 desktop and mobile devices attached to my account and wanted them all to sync using ICLOUD. I'd get one or two set up and then the next one would add in the duplicates. Was making me crazy. Here is what I finally did to solve the problem:
1. Using your desktop app, export a clean copy of your address book to your desktop. If your file is contaminated with duplicates already, go back and find an older copy.
2. Using your desktop app, delete all of the entries. Then go to System preferences and turn on the Cloud for Address Book. It should be empty.
3. Turn the cloud off for each and every device you own. It will ask if you want to save the contacts or delete them. Choose delete.
4. Every device will now be empty of data.
5. I was unsuccessful at bringing my data back in using the Cloud web site. So I went back to my desktop app and brought it in that way. Then, I turned the Cloud back on. If you've done it right, all you should see is the Cloud symbol above where it says ALL CONTACTS. Immediately, all of my devices filled up with the same information. I double checked by adding a new data entry. And all of the devices updated with it.
The next day, I noticed that my desktop app was not doing the cloud updates, although all of my other devices were. So I went to the desktop app preferences, deleted the entries and then turned the cloud back on. Immediately the desktop app updated with cloud contacts. Now, it syncs just fine.
BTW, everything is done by an "air sync" and if you actually connect your device to ITUNES, the address book will be greyed out. Don't change the setting. You don't ever want to sync the data with ITUNES again -- or you'll get your duplicates back!
The iCloud is genius. Sure makes life simpler and easier. So if you have problems in the beginning, don't give up. The end result is so worth it!!!
Good luck!

Hi guys,
This hasn't helped with me as the MobileMe account won't allow me to disable it or even delete it from the desktop app.
Here's my issue (https://discussions.apple.com/message/18525465#18525465):
I am having real problems with Address Book after transfering from MobileMe to iCloud.
I have two accounts running at the moment:
MobileMe - xxxxxx
iCloud - xxxxx (using my Apple ID as they suggest)
This means that I have two accounts in my Address book with duplicate details.
I have turned off the MobileMe account on my iMac - and they still show in Address Book.
I have gone in to Address Book preferences and tried to disable the MobileMe Account by unchecking the 'Enable this account' button ... but it simply checks itself again. So I still have duplicates.
I have removed the MobileMe account altogether from the Address Book Accounts pane, but when I restart the app they just come back again!
I have gone on to the MobileMe Address Book online and deleted all of the contacts - but they have not been deleted off of my Address Book.
Can someone please tell me how I can remove this account from my Address Book as it's driving me mad, I dont want it anymore and it also means that I now have a duplicate Birthdays account in my iCal as well!!!
Any idea of any fixes for this?
<Edited By Host>

HT2500 delete address book entries

How do you delete address book entries?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
With Address Book open, select the entry to be deleted in the Name (middle) column by clicking on it.
Now select Edit, Delete Card from the top menubar.
The option to delete a card does not appear unless a card is selected first.

My MacBook Pro will not sync address book changes with my IPhone. Why? It used to.

My MacBook Pro will not sync address book changes with my IPhone. Why? It used to.

Then you may have to try manually resetting the syncservices folder by following Julian Write's post (from https://discussions.apple.com/message/9274781#9274781):
Ok, as you can't reset SyncServices in the "normal" way, you'll have to resort to the "other" way:
Although it's not advised to do so in normal circumstances, you'll need to manually delete the SyncServices folder.
Before doing so, you MUST make a backup of both your Contacts and Calendars:
In Address Book, choose *Export > Address Book Archive...* from the File menu.
In iCal, choose *Back up iCal...* from the File menu.
Then, make a backup of the SyncServices folder located at:
~/Library/Application Support/SyncServices
By backing everything up first, you don't risk losing anything.
Finally delete the aforementioned SyncServices folder and restart the Mac. This will force Mac OS X to recreate the SyncServices folder, and hopefully fix your problem.
I believe in Snow Leopard you can back up your calendar in File>Export>iCal Archive rather than File>Back up iCal as posted above.

Deleted Address Book - HELP!

I accidentally deleted Address Book. I was moving it to my Dock and missed, so it went to the desktop, then I put it on the dock and deleted it from my desktop. Aparently, that was the program and not a duplicate. Is there any way I can download it or pull it off one of the installation CDs?

You should be able to load it from your installation DVD as one of the optional installations.
AK

Delete Address Book entries

I've been trying to find out, whether with Automator or AppleScript, how to delete specific contacts from Address Book and am not having any luck. My ultimate goal is to back up 10 specific vCards and then delete them. I've gotten Automator to export the vCards of 10 people, but that's where I get stuck. Automator doesn't seem to have any actions that delete cards. I've tried Google for AppleScript on deleting Address Book cards but I really can't find anything. I can't even find a list of what actions I can use with AppleScript on Address Book. Any help would be appreciated.

Anybody?

Applescript to delete Address Book note

I have quite a few Address Book entries with a specific parenthetical note in the Notes field: (Priority).
I'd like to remove "(Priority)" from all the Notes while not removing anything else in Note fields. Is there an easy Applescript to do this?
Thanks in advance.
/rb

It appears my issue has been resolved with the help of thread you posted:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2132340
I did end up calling Apple Support to clarify the procedure so in case anyone else is having the problem, here is my version of the fix:
As always, create a backup of your current Address Book in case something goes awry.
1. Sign out of MobileMe in your Home account.
2. Sign in to your Guest account or create a Test account.
3. Sign in to MobileMe in the MobileMe preference pane in the Test/Guest account.
4. Go to the Sync pane in the MobileMe preference pane and Sync. You will receive a question as to what you want to do. I chose to Replace contacts on the computer with contacts from MobileMe.
5. After syncing you should have an address book without the contacts that were merged from the address book you had been subscribing to.
6. Export an address book archive (extension .abbu). Copy the resulting file to a flash drive or an external hard drive that is available.
7. Return to your home account and Import that file to your address book. You will get a message asking you if you want to replace all the contacts with the ones you are importing. Answer yes.
8. Quit address book and re-launch. At this point you should see all your groups and contacts without the subscription contacts that were merged and couldn't be deleted.
9. Sign in to MobileMe and re-enable syncing.

Syncing Address Book contacts with iPod

I know some people will think this post should be in the iPod forum but I have realised that it is not my iPod beccasue I tried using a different iPod and the same problem happened. Anyway...the problem is that when I choose to sync Address Book contacts with iPod it comes up with this message:
No contacts available
Contact syncinig cannot be enabled because there are no contacts available. Do you want to open Address Book and create contacts now?
And gives me the options: Cancel and Open Address Book
I have tried deleting several different preferences for iTunes, Address Book and iSync (just incase).
I don't know what else to do, I know I can manually add my contacts by exporting them all as a vCard but it would be so much easier if iTunes could do it. Please help if you know anything!
iMac G5 (iSight) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.9GHz PowerPC G5, 512MB RAM, 17" Widescreen
iMac G5 (iSight) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.9GHz PowerPC G5, 512MB RAM, 17" Widescreen

I've got Calenders syncing again, not sure how I did it. I deleted the one of the folders in /Users/Alex/Library/Application Support/SyncServices/Local/clientdata/
I found that in each folder there is a clientname.txt file with the name of what data is in the folder e.g. iCal, Safari, Keychain, Mail.
I deleted the iCal one and iTunes seems to be syncing it now. So I looked for a folder with Address Book in the clientname.txt file but there wasn't one. I am wondering whether that's the reason!

Delete Address Book Duplicates with less info?

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