Mail Merge with separate Source Header document

[PLCarr]

In previous versions of Word (up to 2000. not sure about XP) it was possible
to use a separate document as a source for the field names when using a Word
Document as a data source. It was called the Header source document.

This seems t have disappeared from Word 2003.

Is it still possible to use a separate Header Source in Word 2003?

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Yes, but there are some differences in behaviour. I suggest you use
Tools|Customize|Commands, select All Commands, look for all the MailMerge
related ones in the list, and drag the ones you need to a toolbar or menu.

 

[KM Wagner]

This answer was very helpful. Thank you. Now I have another question. Some
of my mail merge documents are formatted to use separate headers and others
are not. How do I remove the separate header function from the latter?

Also, I am having difficulty using Excel as a data source in mail merge. Do
you have any tips that would help?

Thank you.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Sorry, I didn't see your follow-up.

How do I remove the separate header function from the latter?

I think the only way to do this is to convert the document back into a
normal Word document (i.e. not a mail merge main document) e.g. using the
first button on the Mailmerge toolbar or in the Mail Merge Helper (I have
found that the latter does not always work in this case). If you do this,
you will lose all the details of the data source as well, including any
filters and sorts, so you will need to restore all those. But merge fields
remain.

Also, I am having difficulty using Excel as a data source in mail merge.
Do
you have any tips that would help?

What kind of problems? It is probably worth using google groups to search
the messages in this newsgroup for questions and answers about excel - most
of the common questions have answers or pointers to answers in here.

Peter Jamieson

 

[Singlej]

Peter, I too am having trouble tying the header source file to the merge file
in 2003. In 2000, it worked like a champ. How specifically do you do it?
I'm trying to merge a comma separated text file. I have previously done this
in 2000 with a header source file and merge file. The header source file
lists the merge fields to be used in the merge file. Without the header file
"attached" to the merge file, Word assumes the first record in the text file
is a header when it is, in fact, not. Because of this, a message appears
indicating a merge field is used in the main document but does not exist in
the data source. It's as if the header source file has disappeared. I've
placed the mail merge toolbar onscreen but do not see any icons that
represent choosing a header source file. Please help!

Thanks in advance,
John

 

[Peter Jamieson]

How specifically do you do it?

It has been a while since I looked at this

First, did you try

specifically, look for "MailMergeOpenHeaderSource" in the list of commands
for category "All Commands" ?

But that might not be enough.

Peter Jamieson

 

[Singlej]

Bless you! Thanks, Peter - I was not looking in "All Commands". Thanks SO
much - have a wonderfun day!
--John