Mail Merge doc that needs to have a text box for date fill-in

[Lori Ann]

I have a mail merge document that I used the fill-in code for a date that
needs to be entered in the body of the letter. Unfortunately, the client
using this has "outdated" computers and when the msg box appears asking for
the fill-in, it's locking up their system.

Can I use a form letter field in the mail merge letter? If so, how b/c when
I lock it, the mail merge feature is not available. Am I missing something
simple? I sure hope so!

Thanks!

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi =?Utf-8?B?TG9yaSBBbm4=?=,

I have a mail merge document that I used the fill-in code for a date that
needs to be entered in the body of the letter. Unfortunately, the client
using this has "outdated" computers and when the msg box appears asking for
the fill-in, it's locking up their system.

Well, Fill-in fields are older than any computer or version of Windows still
being used. They date all the way back to Word's origins. So I don't think the
fill-in field can be locking up their systems; if it is, something is very
wrong.

Can you describe HOW it's "locking up their system"? What kind of system, and
version of Word, are we discussing?

Can I use a form letter field in the mail merge letter? If so, how b/c when
I lock it, the mail merge feature is not available. Am I missing something
simple?

Mail merge and form fields are mutually exclusive. They weren't designed to
work in concert. This article discusses the issue and offers a macro
workaround. http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=211308

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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