[macropod]

Hi Cindy,

If the text is formatted as white, and the document doesn't have a background, then you won't see it in the printed document - all
there'll be is the space where the text belongs. If you don't want the space, Peter's suggestion might be the way to go.

Cheers

--
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]


"Cindy B" wrote in message ...
| Hi Macropod. Thanks for your advice. Everyone is on the right page with the
| problem.
|
| I did test it and it does merge if the text is not set as hidden text.
|
| As far as changing the color - I did think of that and in some cases, it
| works great but in this case, the merge letter needs to be printed on
| beige/linen colored letterhead and not having any luck matching the text
| color just right.
|
| I've done hundreds of merges like this and sometimes it works and sometimes
| it doesn't. I haven't discovered any rhyme or reason for the issue. I've
| searched for known bugs or issues with this but haven't found any. I've also
| searched for settings that could cause the problem and haven't found anything
| there either. Has anyone else had inconsistant results when merging using
| Word 2002 or newer?
|
| "macropod" wrote:
|
| Hi Cindy,
|
| Try UNhiding the text, to confirm that it merges.
|
| If that works, select the mergefield you want to hide, but DON'T format it as hidden. Instead:
| .. press Shift-F9 to expose the field code, which will look something like {MERGEFIELD Data}
| .. formatted the font colour for 'M' in 'MERGEFIELD' as the same colour as the background (eg white)
| .. add '\* Charformat' to the field (i.e. {MERGEFIELD Data \* Charformat}
| .. delete '\* Mergeformat' if it's there
| .. press F9 to update the field.
| Now run your mailmerge and everything should be OK. The text will be in your merged output, but won't be visible or print
because
| it's the same colour as the background. If you need to see it, simply change its colour.
|
| Cheers
|
| --
| macropod
| [MVP - Microsoft Word]
|
|
| "Cindy B" wrote in message ...
| | No, the text is not merged at all.
| |
| | "Peter Jamieson" wrote:
| |
| | However, once I merge, the hidden text is completely
| | ignored.
| |
| | Can we assume that you mean that the hidden attribute is ignored and so the
| | text is visible? Please spell it out if that's not right.
| |
| | It seems OK here, but
| | a. which version of Word (I'm using 2003)?
| | b. how are you hiding the MERGEFIELD fields (and are you hiding other types
| | of field) ?
| | c. presumably you are outputting to a new document, but what type of merge
| | are you performing (Letters, Directory,...) ?
| |
| | Peter Jamieson
| | "Cindy B" wrote in message
| | ...
| | I have several merge fields set as hidden text because I need to be able to
| | see them on the screen but not print once I've completed my merge - seems
| | reasonable right? However, once I merge, the hidden text is completely
| | ignored. Has anyone encountered this and more importantly found a
| | resolution?
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|