# How do I print out a vCard?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 31, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923 "2004-05-31T15:06:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![shewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shewriter)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/1 "2004-05-31T15:06:55Z")

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I asked someone for his business card info, like fax#, office address, etc.  
I expected a simple email, or perhaps a scan of his business card.

Instead I got a “vCard”.  
When I clicked on it, it asked if I wanted it saved in Outlook Express address book.  
I said OK.

But now the info is practically unusable to me. It’s spread over 8 tabs, and I have found no way to print it out.  
I can’t even get the text with cut and paste.

I even tried exporting my entire address book to a spreadsheet, but all the info is scrambled, zipcode before state, etc.  
I suppose I will end up just typing it up myself, flipping though all the tabs, but that seems too lo-tech. Something my granny would do.

I’d just like a simple business card size slip of paper to put in my business card wallet.

Can the info be printed? Surely there’s a way I don’t know about.

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**Author:** ![daffyduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@daffyduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffyduck)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/2 "2004-05-31T16:45:51Z")

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I believe you can use a program called [Maya](http://www.tucows.com/preview/308790.html) to do it. I haven’t tested it, but it looks like it is worth a shot.

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**Author:** ![shewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shewriter)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/3 "2004-05-31T20:09:21Z")

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Since Maya costs $1950.00 that can’t be what vCard users use.  
Surely most people with vCard own a Rolodex and could use paper copies.

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**Author:** ![daffyduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@daffyduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffyduck)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/4 "2004-05-31T20:29:17Z")

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> [@shewriter](#):
>
> Since Maya costs $1950.00 that can’t be what vCard users use.  
> Surely most people with vCard own a Rolodex and could use paper copies.

It’s a typo! Sheesh. The FREE download will work for up to 40 contacts. Never mind, I withdraw my suggestion. Go fish.

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**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/5 "2004-05-31T20:52:16Z")

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> [@shewriter](#):
>
> But now the info is practically unusable to me. It’s spread over 8 tabs, and I have found no way to print it out.  
> I can’t even get the text with cut and paste.

Well, I can print from my Windows Address Book. If you already have the contact, open the “real” _Address Book_ program, not just the Contacts panel in Outlook express (either in _Accessories_ or via a button in the OE toolbar.)  
Then select - but don’t open - the contact. Then use _File | Print…_ You can even select a few different layouts.

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**Author:** ![shewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shewriter)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-out-a-vcard/247923/6 "2004-05-31T21:54:53Z")

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**daffyduck** - I guess that is a typo (I didn’t question it because I was thinking that Maya was an expensive artist’s package like Adobe Illustrator.)

**kellner** - YES! Thank you. I knew it had to be something generally available.  
I didn’t recall having Windows Address Book, but there it was under Accessories.  
And it does give 3 useful different formats.