converting word list to excel data merge document

[SMPecorella]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

I was recently sent a list of 250 names, addresses, etc., that I need to merge into form letters and labels. The info sent to me looks like this:

Ms. I Am In-Charge
In Charge, LLC
123 Main Street
Angel City, NY 22222
Phone: 212-333-3456
Fax: 212-333-3457
email: (e-mail address removed)

Mr. Leader Am I
Judge
Supreme Court of TX
456 Justice Ave.
Suite 200
Livin, TX 34567
Phone: ...
Fax...
email...

The entries range from at least six lines to no more than nine lines (some entries have PO Boxes and street addresses, or lines that would otherwise function as Address1 and Address2; other entries have the standard Address1, City, State, format.)

I have tried importing text data to excel --don't work. I've tried converting text to table in Word, but the columns and text aren't consistent and then I have to cut and paste to new rows. I've also tried copying text to excel worksheet and converting text to table, but it will not expand to all of the necessary columns. Is there anyway to convert these 200-odd addresses to excel without re-typing everything manually?

 

[CyberTaz]

Unfortunately you have a real rat's nest to untangle there - it's too bad
you can't send it back to where it came from & tell *them* to do it right
this time Due to the inconsistency & labels it would probably be faster
to retype than to configure & test any kind of code to automate the process.
The best suggestion I can offer is;

1- Do several Find & Replace operations to get rid of the Phone:, Fax:, etc.
labels,
2- Add empty returns wherever necessary to make each record the same number
of fields,
3- Remove the empty returns between records,
4- Then do the Convert Text to Table thing.

Still a time-consuming task, but the good news is that unless you need it in
Excel for other purposes you don't need to move it to an Excel file. Once
you have it as a Word table document you can use it for your merge.

Watch for other replies, though, 'cause some of these characters come up
with some pretty nifty stuff

 

[CyberTaz]

P.S. - I'd also suggest that you break the City, State & Zip into separate
lines before creating the table - although that can be done in Excel if
you'd prefer. Otherwise trying to do a merge is going to be a bit
problematic.

 

[SMPecorella]

I do so appreciate your reply, and I kinda figured it was a futile effort. I will take your advice and go the Word table option and not worry about converting to Excel.

Thanks so much!
Sherrilyn