Mail Merge Format Error in Word 2003
In attempting to merge an Excel database with a Word 2003 form letter, every other letter's first page is creating an unwanted page break right at the point where it's supposed to insert the list of the customer's invoices.
Also, it would be nice to be able to print those customers that have multiple invoices within a single letter. But this is more of a wishlist issue since we can simply mail the multiple letters.
The following are the instructions that I had written for the user, in case our problem might lie within our procedures (note that the file names and source data have been changed for security reasons):
• Open the ARsamples-TEMPLATE.doc file and click YES when asked to update the database
• Select Tools, Letters & Mailings, Mail Merge.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link until you reach the step 3.
• Click the Browse link, select the file Decosimo/YYYY/ ARsamples-YYYY.xls and click the Open button.
• Select the Samples table and click OK twice.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link to advance to step 4.
• Edit the letter per Decosimo’s template.
• Click File, Save to preserve your changes.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link until you reach step 6.
• At the top of the right, Mail Merge panel, click Edit Individual Letters.
• Select All and click OK to create a new document.
• Load letterhead in to the printer.
• Print all letters in the new document.
ARSamples-TEMPLATE-EE.doc
ARSamples-2012-TEST-EE.xls
Also, it would be nice to be able to print those customers that have multiple invoices within a single letter. But this is more of a wishlist issue since we can simply mail the multiple letters.
The following are the instructions that I had written for the user, in case our problem might lie within our procedures (note that the file names and source data have been changed for security reasons):
• Open the ARsamples-TEMPLATE.doc file and click YES when asked to update the database
• Select Tools, Letters & Mailings, Mail Merge.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link until you reach the step 3.
• Click the Browse link, select the file Decosimo/YYYY/ ARsamples-YYYY.xls and click the Open button.
• Select the Samples table and click OK twice.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link to advance to step 4.
• Edit the letter per Decosimo’s template.
• Click File, Save to preserve your changes.
• At the bottom right of the screen, in the Mail Merge panel, click the NEXT link until you reach step 6.
• At the top of the right, Mail Merge panel, click Edit Individual Letters.
• Select All and click OK to create a new document.
• Load letterhead in to the printer.
• Print all letters in the new document.
ARSamples-TEMPLATE-EE.doc
ARSamples-2012-TEST-EE.xls
ASKER
How do I remove that page break?
I really don't understand Mail Merge at all.
This document was created by someone on Experts-Exchange at the end of last year but it's not working this year for some reason.
I really don't understand Mail Merge at all.
This document was created by someone on Experts-Exchange at the end of last year but it's not working this year for some reason.
It's easy enough to remove the page break. Show the field codes by using the Alt + F9 toggle. Show the formatting characters by using the Show/Hide button (¶). You will then be able to see the page break. However deleting it might give you the output that you want.
Hmm,
I've found your previous question:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26779830/Mail-Merge-Letter-With-Multiple-Records-Per-Customer.html
You should know about the page break,. You posted a picture of the field code that contained it in a picture in the question.
Because the path is different on my system, I had to break the linkage with the spreadsheet. I'll try re-assigning it as the datasource, and see how it works.
I've found your previous question:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26779830/Mail-Merge-Letter-With-Multiple-Records-Per-Customer.html
You should know about the page break,. You posted a picture of the field code that contained it in a picture in the question.
Because the path is different on my system, I had to break the linkage with the spreadsheet. I'll try re-assigning it as the datasource, and see how it works.
ASKER
I'm trying to figure out how to put back the page break. I suspect my original problem was simply that the source data wasn't sorted by customer number.
Yes the records in this multiple sub-items type of merge would have to be sorted on the key field - CNUM according to the field codes.
If you have already modified the document, and can't get it back, you could download it from your question.
If you have already modified the document, and can't get it back, you could download it from your question.
ASKER
Should this be setup as a Letter or Directory document?
The final version posted to my question from last year seems to be a Directory, but the current file that I posted to my new question is a Letter for some reason.
The final version posted to my question from last year seems to be a Directory, but the current file that I posted to my new question is a Letter for some reason.
Microsoft says that it should be a directory type. Here is a link to their article on the subject:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294686
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294686
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Access will be easier. And apparently more people know how to use it than they do Mail Merge, based on the quantity and quality of the feedback.
'Invoice Number Date Amount'
It looks as if it is an attempt to implement the multiple invoices requirement. There is a page break in the structure after
"{IF{MERGESEQ}>1 "¶
That is where the page breaks are coming from in the output.