Mail Merge Problems

[Nathalie]

I set up a main document (my letter), created a data source (word table) and
inserted my fields into my letter.

When I create a merge document, I do a File Save As, rename it, save the
merge, the letter and the data source. I just found out that all of my
previous documents now have the exact same information as the last document
I created.

From the merge wizard, the list is pointing to the correct data source. I
select Edit Recipient List, Edit the list with my new info and go through
the steps to the end. Everything works until I save and close everything
and go back to reopen past files.

What am I doing wrong? I now have at least 20 contracts that I have to redo
because of this. Am I missing a step or is it a bug?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew Duncan]

Hi Nathalie,

Try doing a "merge to new document" and saving that
document instead of a "save as". This will convert it
from a merge document to a normal document and won't be
affected by the contents of the data source.

Hope this helps
Andrew

 

[Nathalie]

Andrew,

I don't have a "merge to new document", just the complete merge in the
wizard and when I do a plain save the next time I open my merge it is my
last document. This problem just won't go away and I know there's a step
we're missing somewhere.

Now it's happening for every document. Argh!

 

[Peter Jamieson]

In Word XP, the option is presented in Step 6 of the Mail Merge Wizard, but
a. it is not presented if you choose either E-mail Messages or Faxes as the
document type in Step 1
b. it is actually called "Edit Individual Letters", "Edit Individual
Envelopes", "Edit Individual Labels", "To New Document" depending on the
document type you chose (Letter,Envelopes,Labels,Directory respectively).

Although it sounds as if Word might be doing something different for the
"Edit Individual ..." and "To New Document" options, in fact each of these
options outputs the merge results to a single new document.

 

[Nathalie]

Now that makes sense. I'll give it a try when I have a breather and let you
know. Thanks Peter!