Merging two or more files

[Boots]

I have 6 volumes of roughly 75 pages each and I would like to merge them into
one document. Is this possible with Publisher 2003 ? Thanks for any help.

 

[Mary Sauer]

You can try this method
http://msauer.mvps.org/combining_publisher_documents.htm

 

[Boots]

Thanks for the info, however I'm not getting anywhere.
More backgroung data - Each volume includes text and pictures. I don't seem
to be able to copy and paste from one volume to another.

Your alternative way - I may be confused with terms. I created a new file
in Publisher, then closed it. Opened vol.1 to combine with new file (primary).
Tools Menu,Mail & Catalog Merge Wizard, your step1 - Mail Merge.
Then ignoring "Mail & Catalog Merge" box -
Your Step 2 - Browse for my new file. Step 2 -Create text box, click the
Data Item ( where is the Data Item ??) Step 4. Step 5 Where do I find "Add
to Existing Publication"

If I go with the "Mail & Catalog" box -
Step 1- Select Source, Browse - File Type "All Data Sources" does not show
my Publisher Files. I have to go to "All Files". Then when I click on my
Volume 1 I get "This operation cannot be completed because of Dialog or
Database engine failures". Is there any hope for me ? Thanks

 

[Mary Sauer]

When you merge, you have to create a text box, browse to your data and place the
data inside the text box. That is all there is to it.
Did you create a data item? In Publisher, Tools, Mail & Catalog, create address
list. Click customize, delete everything but one field. Type any word in the
blank. Close, you will be prompted to save, the data will be stored in My Data
in My Documents.

 

[Boots]

Sorry I am no further ahead as you did not answer my last
correspondence.What do you mean by a 'data item' ? I did create a text box
but couldn't access my data to place in the text box as explained.

I followed your instruction after "In Publisher...' and was not prompted to
save.
So I'm no further ahead with a merge.

 

[Mary Sauer]

Go here
http://msauer.mvps.org/more_graphics.htm
I have put some pictures up to show you how to do the data.

 

[Boots]

Thank you, I did print the first three pages of your pictures, now they are
no longer available on your message. At the moment I don't see the relevancy
of the other five pages.

I have played around for the last few days and accomplished zilch. I feel as
if I don't have the complete picture.

Would it be possible to lead me through this step by step. Start with two
files (text and pictures) which I wish to combine in one file. Sorry for
being so dumb but this is important to me.

 

[Mary Sauer]

I put up some new pictures and put back the old ones.
The pictures took up a bit of space and the page is long. You could save the
page.
http://msauer.mvps.org/publisher_data_list.htm

 

[Boots]

I still feel I am missing info.
Down to "Customize Address List" is fine, leaving 'Title'
"New Address List" - you say type a word - do you mean my file name. OK. I
now close and "Save Address File". I have to retype my file name and save.
Then to "Mail & Merge Wizard" and I browse for my file.
Highlight and open then I get "Mail & Merge Recipients".
What do I do with this ? Can I put my six files on here ?
I guessed from here on and got a three page document - Page one my first
file name(no content), Page two my second file name( still no content) and a
blank third page which I presume is the page I created to insert the text box.
Any other suggestions. Thanks for your patience.

 

[Mary Sauer]

In step 3 all you do is create a small text box on the first page of your
document. Click the item and it will go into the text box. Step 4 is the review.
You do nothing on this page. Step 5 you add this to your existing publication.

 

[Boots]

I'm sorry but either you cannot solve my problem or you're not listening.

I have broken down my problem as much as possible and you have not answered
one single question I have asked. I'm still at the same point of getting only
the file name merged.

Is there someone else I can converse with ?

 

[Mary Sauer]

Boots,
There is no documentation for this procedure. You can only merge one document at
a time.

If you have six files you want to combine, then you will have to do the merge
with each and every one. You can use the same data for each file.

 

[Boots]

You've done it again, no answers. I'm quite happy to merge each file one at
a time but how ?

Is there no-one at Microsoft.com that can help me ?

 

[DavidF]

Hey boots...just because you are frustrated and don't understand the answers
given, doesn't mean that Mary hasn't carefully listened and answered your
questions. Come on...she even took the time to create special instructions
just for you. She does not work for Microsoft, and the method that you can't
seem to understand is undocumented because Mary created it on her own time.
She is a volunteer who patiently spends countless hours trying to help
people, even when they act like jerks. Just because you don't understand
the answers you have been given, it doesn't give you the right to act so
rudely to someone who has gone out of their way to try to help you.

Perhaps you should have posted your questions in the correct newsgroup to
begin with...this newsgroup is for web building with Publisher. Try the
regular Publisher newsgroup, and see if someone there can write an answer in
the way you want to read it, but I wouldn't expect better answers than you
have already been given.

Or perhaps chill out, quit having a tantrum and go back and study the method
and answers that Mary has described until you figure it out. Its all
there...just take some personal responsibility and quit blaming others for
your own inability to understand directions.

Perhaps invest some time learning the basics of merging and data sources.
Read about the subjects under Help. Read the material here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/CH062524751033.aspx

And if it is beyond your capacity to understand, then perhaps you should
call Microsoft support, and after paying for the call, expect to be told
that your solution is to copy and paste.

Mary has endless patience, even for people that act like you...I don't. You
owe her an apology!

DavidF

 

[Mary Sauer]

Thanks for that, David.

Maybe I left out something. After you complete merging your first file, save the
merge, this now becomes your primary. Open the second file, do the steps again,
merge to the primary and save again and so on.

Boots, I know combining files are a frustration, and as David suggested, your
only other alternative is to copy/paste. The method I have tried to convey to
you is a simple workaround. Maybe in the next version of Publisher there will
be a way to combine publications.

If you plan to do no more edits on your document you can combine publications
with a PDF converter.

 

[Boots]

Thanks for the information Mary. Yes I am frustrated and still don't have the
answers. I am taking off for a few weeks but will work at it when I get back.
Fortunately I've found a printer who can handle the separate files and put
them together. Thanks again for what you did send.

 

[Mary Sauer]

I am sorry I couldn't explain it better, but I am pleased you have found someone
that can help.