Publisher 2003 Mail merge from Excel causing extra spaces- PLEASE

[cauro]

I am currently working on a mail merge from excel into publisher version
2003. when I complete the merge it adds axtra spaces (not lines) into the
merged fields. I am not sure what is causing this. I have already tried
picking the mail merge item piecemeal and bringing them into the doc and I
have also tried to use an address block. Neither make a difference. Any
thoughts?? I need help fast, as I am working on a mailing for work....

 

[Mary Sauer]

I'd make sure you have no spaces in your data base. Are you manually using
spacing when you insert your fields; such as between the name of the state and
the zip code? Have you tried creating a new publication in step 5 of the mail
merge wizard to see where the spaces are, in all the labels or just some?

 

[cauro]

Thanks Mary. I think that is what the problem lies. I am importing the
information into an Excel file from a database system. From the Excel file I
am then merging it with the Publisher doc. I think that is what is causing
the spaces, but I am not sure. I am working with the 2003 versions of all
the applications. I do not know how to trim out the spaces of the Excel
program and do not want to needlessly do it by hand.

If I merge the information into a new publication, it still drops in the
spaces. I have also tried to not put any spaces between the merged fields to
see if that changes anything, but that has not helped either.

Any other suggestions??

 

[Mary Sauer]

I know very little about Excel. I can create simple data bases. Have you tried
find/replace? Better yet the Trim command.