That would depend, of course, on your version which you did not specify.
Look in Tools Options on either the General Tab or Preferences Tab for
"Contact Options..." That's where you specify the format for your File
As... field.
------
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

John wrote:
How are contact names ("John Smith") set up to be filed as "Smith, John"?
If I enter new name "Mr. & Mrs. John Smith", Outlook takes the input and
offers in the "File as:" box "John, Smith". Naturally, I want "Smith, John".
There is a down arrow tab that permits me to select "Smith John", but that
is unacceptable because it requires two additional steps - selecting this new
option and then adding a comma after Smith.

How can I adjust Outlook to properly list lastname, firstname?