Merge Fields have inconsistent spacing

[lkthompson]

Hello,
Using Word 2003 on Windows XP. When I create a Word document and insert
merged fields by Insert>Field>choose "MergeField" from the list and type the
predefined code that will merge data from a Siebel database to the Word
document, I've noticed some spacing issues after the data has been merged.

For example - the Name will have one space between first and last name, but
on the Address fields, it will look as if there are 3-4 spaces between each
word such as:

123 Main Street

But the city and state spacing are fine, as well as every other merge field
we use. I've checked the document settings - it's all left-align, not
justified. I created completely new documents to further test this but I'm
still having problems with the spacing on the address 1, 2, and 3 lines (the
merge field names we use are STREET_ADDRESS_X, STREET_ADDRESS_2_X, and
STREET_ADDRESS_3_X)

I don't think it's a problem with our Siebel db though - the spacing is
correct in the data there.

Is there another setting I should know about in order to fix this?

Thanks!

 

[Robert M. Franz (RMF)]

Hello lkt

Using Word 2003 on Windows XP. When I create a Word document and insert
merged fields by Insert>Field>choose "MergeField" from the list and type the
predefined code that will merge data from a Siebel database to the Word
document, I've noticed some spacing issues after the data has been merged.

For example - the Name will have one space between first and last name, but
on the Address fields, it will look as if there are 3-4 spaces between each
word such as:

123 Main Street

the above line is the result of a single MAILMERGE field, correct?

What does it look like when you display all non-printing characters
(Tools | Options | View)? Is it really one space only between the words,
or a tab (unlikely), a wide (em) space, etc.?

If you execute the merge into a new document, there won't be a field
anymore. Maybe it's easier to examine the content there: are there any
suspicious settings in Format | Character (second tab) here?

0.2¢
Robert

 

[lkthompson]

Hi Robert,
Thanks for your response! I tried what you suggested and now see little
round circle "degree" marks in the spaces between the words in the address
line. I then noticed that the font changed from Times New Roman 11 to MS
Mincho 11 in the spacing, which is odd. I'm going to look into that further
and see why it's changing to that Mincho font.

Thanks again!

lkt

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Word has a tendency to revert to MS Mincho for en and em spaces, which may
be what you're dealing with here. A degree symbol the same width as an
ordinary space is a nonbreaking space; degree symbols with wider spaces
denote en and em spaces.

 

[lkthompson]

Thanks Suzanne. How can I fix this?

Word has a tendency to revert to MS Mincho for en and em spaces, which may
be what you're dealing with here. A degree symbol the same width as an
ordinary space is a nonbreaking space; degree symbols with wider spaces
denote en and em spaces.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I have no idea. I can't imagine why Word would be inserting en or em spaces
on its own, and it doesn't sound as if you've consciously done it.