GUIDE
How TEL Works in vCard 3.0 and 4.0
TEL stores a phone value and optional type parameters. The value should remain text, while type labels help an address book present and filter it.
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What you should know
TEL stores a phone value and optional type parameters. The value should remain text, while type labels help an address book present and filter it.
Before you begin
- Keep an untouched copy of the source export.
- Work on a small sample before changing a complete address book.
- Review the downloaded file before importing it elsewhere.
The value is not a number
Plus signs, leading zeros, pauses, extensions, and formatting can all be meaningful. Treat TEL as a string and avoid spreadsheet conversion that coerces it to numeric data.
Types vary by version and app
Common labels include cell, home, work, voice, fax, and text. Version 4.0 uses parameter syntax that differs from many 2.1 exports, so convert a copy when compatibility requires it.
- Open a sample card in the editor.
- Inspect the TEL value and its parameters.
- Compare a vCard export from the destination.
- Normalize only the formatting you can justify.
Keep multiple phones repeatable
Do not collapse several TEL properties into one comma-separated string. Repeat the property so the destination can preserve separate phone types.
Questions people ask
Does How TEL Works in vCard 3.0 and 4.0 change the original file?
No. The browser works with the selected copy and creates a separate download. Keep the original export as your rollback point.
What should I verify after How TEL Works in vCard 3.0 and 4.0?
Compare counts and representative fields, validate the generated copy, and test a small import before processing a full address book.