While the following exchange relates to the use of USPS barcodes when mail
merging, the same comments apply - notably that the way in which Word
generated the bar codes no longer conformed to the USPS standard.
Quote
Well-researched yourself!
As I now understand it, you can still use the BARCODE field in Word 2007
merges despite what the Word documentation suggests, but you have to enter
them manually because the necessary checkboxes have been disabled on the
relevant dialog boxes.
Since I live in the UK I have no idea whether adding barcodes speeds up the
mail in the US.
Peter Jamieson
RolandB said:
Peter, thanks for your research! I got a little persistent and discovered
what you presented here. I first found a document on how to read, or how
to
generate the barcode and thats when I found as you indicate that the merge
generates a ZIP+4 barcode. Thats actually untrue in that a true ZIP+4 has
52
bars. The 'envelope' or single label generation creates the 62 bar
version
which includes as the last two digits the last two digits of the street
address! The merge version generates a 62 bar version BUT generates a
'99'
for the 'last two digits' of the street address. Which is why they
wouldn't
be useful for bulk mail. I personally believe you can speed delivery by
including the barcode in your mailing. I always use the barcode
generation
when sending any business correspondence. I'm sorry Word has dropped it
from
the mail-merge of 2007! I probably don't do that much for it to affect me
but others are being deprived of a partial benefit!
Roland
Unquote
--
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
