I am no expert in FreePBX (just started) but I've got basic functionality from my phone book and so I'll contribute the little knowledge I've got...

To set up a phone book, click on "tools" tab (as contrasted with "setup" tab) in the left-hand side-bar and then click on "Asterisk PhoneBook".

You will now reproduce your entire list of extensions by entering them in this independent database. (I think there should be some way to use the information from "extensions" here, but I coculdn't figure it out.)

Scroll down to the "Add or replace entry" section (this is just below the list of extensions you have already defined).

Type in the user's number (extension number) and their name (think carefully whether you want "last, first" or "first last" because you will only be able to look up by the initial characters in this field -- I haven't found a way to look up using subsequent names in this field). Optionally enter the speeddial code (if you don't enter anything then it will start at 99 and work its way back). Then click on "Submit Changes". Do this for every one of your extensions that you want to be able to look up via phone book.

Now in your IVR or wherever set up a destination that goes to "Phone book Directory".

Thereafter users accessing this feature will be prompted to enter the 1st 3 characters of the person's name and they will be transferred to that extension.

Pretty limited functionality the way I've found to implement it, but it does work adequately.

Hah! Reading some further comments here it appears that "Directory" (as opposed to "Phone Book") is a much more effective way to go. It reads the voicemail system, uses recorded names instead of spelling names, pays attention to both first name and last name, and doesn't require separate entry from the "extensions" entry system.

The only slightly awkward point is that "Directory" is not immediately available from the IVR destinations. However, it is simple to add it as a "Misc Destination".

Go to the "Setup" tab (as opposed to "Tools" tab) and click on "Misc Destinations" on the left side-bar. Type in some appropriate description (such as "Directory") and then in "featurecode shortcuts" choose "Directory" which will populate the "Dial" field. Click on "Submit Changes" and you have a new "Misc Destination" which is available for your IVR use.

NOTE: I'm still interested in how to get it to use an alternate language based on which IVR tree I am traversing...

(Apologies - I know this it technically outside of the "Phone Book" section and should be in the "Directory" section instead, but if you're like me this is where you end up and I think you would probably find this information helpful if you are looking at potential phone book directories...)

I installed phonebook module to my freepbx but i didnt find phonebook option in setup menu. how to add phonebook or other option in setup menu? pls help.

thank you
Ali