Multiple records displayed in one mail merge page

[GregP]

I want to generate a mail merge document to create wedding invitations. To minimise printing costs, I want to have two consecutive records on the one page. How do I do this? From what I've seen so far, the only way to get the next lot of data from the database is to click the |> button in Word to advance to the next record. I have thought of a couple of options but don't know how to completely implement any of them.

* Is there some way to create an unbound field containing data from the next record in the table? (E.g. CurrentRecord + 1)
* Create a new autonumber field, run a query selecting only the odd-numbered records, and have a new table field which gets the data from the next field.
* Or is there some way in MS Word to get it to get the next lot of info without touching the database (e.g. by having the second lot of info called <i><<LastName>>+1</i> or that effect in different syntax?

Any help would be much appreciated, wedding invitations going out soon and I need this done ASAP!

 

[charityg]

In MSWord, try making a custom label. Size it so that two labels (invitations) will fit on page. I've done this very thing for printing IRS 1099s (3records per page) from an Access database. When you create a custom label, you can access the label height, width properties, as well as the space between the labels. Of course, you don't actually have to print on a label! Another bonus, is that since the printer is expecting labels, you are prompted to feed the paper instead of it pulling the paper automatically from the drawer (in other words, it makes it easier not to waste your good paper).

Word takes care of merging two records per page. Let me know if you need more help!

 

[GregP]

Thankyou, you're a saviour!!! I did what you said, and when viewing the code, discovered the magic is done by the <Next Record> tag, which I was then able to copy into my already designed document and merge. Worked perfectly, and without lots of ugly messy code! Thanks again!