Formatting merge fields

[dawn]

Is there a way in Word 2003 to format a merge field to be
a number such as $###,###.##?

 

[Greg]

Dawn,

Sure. A numeric picture switch. From Word's Help file:

Specifies different number formats for positive and
negative results. For example, if the bookmark Sales95 is
a positive value, the field { Sales95 \# "$#,##0.00;-
$#,##0.00" } displays the value with regular formatting —
for example, "$1,245.65". A negative value is displayed
with bold formatting and a minus sign — for example, "-$
345.56".

See General Switches>Numeric picture for more examples.

 

[Dawn]

When I try «Total_gift_amount»\# "$#,##0.00 I get
75000\# "$#,##0.00 - am I leaving out a command somewhere?

 

[Greg Maxey]

Dawn,

You have to toggle the field code display. Select the fiedl and press
ALT+F9. You should then see something like { Mergefield
Total_gift_amount }. Put your switch inside the field code brackets e.g.,
{ Mergefield Total_gift_amount \# "$#,##0.00} and toggle the display again.
BTQ the switch
\# "$,0.00;($,0.00)" might be better.