Mail Merge Customization

[Richard Clement]

I have several Mail Merge Main Documents each with
separate data files. The letters are set to print in Zip
Code order, however, I then have several piles that need
to be intersorted by zip code manually. Is the following
possible?

I thought I could create an additional field in each of
the data files called Letter Type. Globally fill in the
field with the appropriate letter type then combine all of
the data files into one file. Sort the file by Zip Code
but then I need to have Mail Merge read the Letter Type
field for each record saying, OK, If Letter Type equals
say, "CANDLE", then merge this record with the Candle
Letter. The next record might be for an enrollment
letter, etc. At least all would be in Zip Order.

Make sense? Any suggestions out there? H E L P!!!!

 

[Cindy Meister -WordMVP-]

Hi Richard,

It could work - sorta depends on what else you might have in
these letters besides plain text. And how merciful Word is
inclined to be towards you

Try using Insert/File with a link to bring each of these
letters into a single document.

Press Alt+F9 to view the field codes - you should see a bunch
of IncludeText fields. Put a pair of "quotes" around each
field.

Select the first one, press Ctrl+F9 to put it into { field
brackets }.

Turn this into an IF field that tests the additional merge
field you mentioned. Roughly:

{ IF { Mergefield LetterType } = "Candle" "{ IncludeText
etc.}" }

Do this for each field/merge letter type. Alt+F9 when you're
done and test...

I have several Mail Merge Main Documents each with
separate data files. The letters are set to print in Zip
Code order, however, I then have several piles that need
to be intersorted by zip code manually. Is the following
possible?

I thought I could create an additional field in each of
the data files called Letter Type. Globally fill in the
field with the appropriate letter type then combine all of
the data files into one file. Sort the file by Zip Code
but then I need to have Mail Merge read the Letter Type
field for each record saying, OK, If Letter Type equals
say, "CANDLE", then merge this record with the Candle
Letter. The next record might be for an enrollment
letter, etc. At least all would be in Zip Order.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jan
24 2003)
http://www.mvps.org/word

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