HTML E-mail Merge Problems

[Renee B.]

I've had a hard time creating html e-mail merges with Office 2003
(Professional Version w.Business Contact Manager). When I tried using
Publisher, the program didn't give an e-mail merge option. I then tried
opening the document that I created in Word and it looked crazy. For
instance, objects that were in text boxes were pushed down and ended up
overlapping. Some parts (both pictures and text).

When I tried creating the document in Word from scratch, I was able to save
the file as a web page and do the e-mail merge in conjunction with Outlook
2003
however, the pictures that were used as the background had small dots all
over them. Which was NOT the look I was going for. I have a feeling that I
am missing something that is so simple that I should pluck myself. LoL! All
help in resolving these issues is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

As you have no control over how the recipient will view the email (most
astute users will have their mail program set to read in plain text) you may
be banging your head up against a wall trying to Email Merge in HTML Format.
To ensure that your recipients see what you intend, it is better to send a
..pdf file.

The addin I have written that you can get from fellow MVP Graham Mayor's
website at

http://www.gmayor.com/individual_merge_letters.htm

can be used to create individual .pdf files with a filename taken from a
field in the data source. Then you can use the information in the article
"Mail Merge to E-mail with Attachments" at

http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/MailMerge/MergeWithAttachments.htm

to send the .pdf files to each recipient
--
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

 

[Peter Jamieson]

I'd go along with Doug, but if you have to use HTML you should explore the
optios in Word Tools|Options|General|"Web options" - they may, however, only
have an effect if you are saving your HTML file then e-mailing it, rather
than merging direct to e-mail.

Peter Jamieson

 

[Renee B.]

Why, pray tell, do you believe that most 'astute' users will have their
program to read in plain text?

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

Justed an added insurance against malware/virus attacks. Plain text is just
that; HTML can be used to disguise all sorts of things.

--
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

 

[Renee B.]

Thanks Peter. I'll give it a try and consider going the PDF route.

 

[Renee B.]

Thanks Doug. That was helpful. I'll definitely take a look into alternatives
such as the one you mentioned.