Help For new Blackberry User

Help. I have the curve 8310. I call into my place of business for voice mail and many times, I don't know the number of the person's extension, so I used to be able to start spelling their name...doesn't seem like the 8310 likes me spelling out, nor does my voice mail, 'cause I'm typing last names all over the place and I think the blackberry is expecting numbers as well as the voice mail system. How can I override this, since I don't want to memorize 500 extensions in my company

press the ALT key and dial their name.