How do I merge 4 documents into 1 without losing format of each?

[Eagle]

I am using Word 2003 and have 4 documents I am trying to merge into one
without losing the original formatting of each - margins/number of pages etc.
How do I do this? I have inserted a section break each time and have then
used the Insert-File option to paste in the next document. I was expecting
to see the pop-up box offering me the "keep source formatting" option but
this doesn't appear. Can you help?

 

[Stefan Blom]

To preserve the section formatting (columns, page setup, and headers &
footers) when using Insert | File, see the relevant part of the article at
http://word.mvps.org/faqs/formatting/WorkWithSections.htm.

If, in addition, you want to preserve text formatting, make sure that unique
styles have been used in the source documents.

 

[Eagle]

Excellent! That worked very well, thank you

To preserve the section formatting (columns, page setup, and headers &
footers) when using Insert | File, see the relevant part of the article at
http://word.mvps.org/faqs/formatting/WorkWithSections.htm.

If, in addition, you want to preserve text formatting, make sure that unique
styles have been used in the source documents.

 

[Stefan Blom]

You are welcome, and thank you for the feedback.

 

[Edix]

The linked article got me most the way there but I need further help.
First I'll point out that I am using Word 2007 and the article may not cover
that according to the MVPS Word Home page.
My scenario is this: I have multiple files, some with multiple pages, each
with its own page layout (headers, margins, ...). I need to combine various
files (2 or 3 usually) to create a single file for email distribution.
Cut and paste not only requires opening the file meant for inclusion but
doesn't include header and margin info and requires specific settings in
options.
Adding a continuous section break in that file still doesn't include the
header (unless I am doing something wrong) and requires saving a modified
file.
This should be a ridiculously simple task but apparently has been 'broken'
since Word 2000 or earlier. For now I guess I am looking for the simplest
workaround and seem to be stuck with the header format.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Eddie

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

You need to insert the section break in the host document before inserting
the other document and set the headers and footers in the new section so
that they are not linked to those in the previous section.

To be doubly sure, also add a section break at the beginning of the document
that is being inserted and unlink the headers in what is now the second
section of that document from those in the first section.

This is going to give you redundant section breaks in the host document, but
you can then judiciously remove them (resorting to undo if things go
haywire) until you achieve what you are after.

However, if formatting is important and the recipient of the email does not
need to be able to edit the documents, I would use the free Primo PDF
printer, to print each document to a file with the same name, having set the
option when the PrimoPDF dialog appears to "Append to Existing" if a file
with the same name exists.

You would then have one .pdf file that contains all of your documents.

Of course, if you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat, you can use it to
do the same thing.


--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com