Word Merge

[joshy-bhoy]

Hello All,

I've been trying to create this database for work which stores staff information and merges select (by way of a query) staff to word.

I have read many tutorials, tried many methods and got confused with terms like automation and ODBE, and im starting to realise that im in way over my head.

Can someone please have a look at what ive done and see if they can help me? It would be appreciated greater than life. If i had a first-born, i would offer them up in your name....

Josh

 

[RuralGuy]

I haven't looked at your file yet but how about downloading Albert Kallal's Super Easy Word Merge and pick up a few pointers. Just scroll down the link a bit to see the section.

 

[joshy-bhoy]

thanks heaps, i didnt come across this as i was searching

ill have a look through it

 

[RuralGuy]

I hope it helps. If not there are some Mail Merge guru's roaming this forum and I'm sure they would be glad to help. I've never done it before so I will not be of much help beyond the link I posted.

 

[joshy-bhoy]

That link proved invaluble, exactly what i needed.

Thank You

 

[RuralGuy]

You're welcome. That's excellent! Albert has been at it for a long time and knows his stuff.

 

[Oldsoftboss]

Mail Merge is something my client seem to ask for, as they know word, but something I have always struggled with. Merging always seemed messy and un co-ordinated. The sample in the link is excellent and I think it will allow me to easily include mail merge from now on.

Thanks heaps,

Dave

 

[RuralGuy]

Albert Kallal strikes again. Glad you liked it Dave.

 

[GaryPanic]

I've nabbed a copy as well- seen the example before this time - copy my copy of it

 

[RuralGuy]

Albert sure is a hit in this thread. He is probably wondering why his site is getting so many downloads right now. Nawww.

 

[GaryPanic]

A little pointer on the super easy word merge option



This is a fantastic little plug in option for Access

And it is nice and easy –

Slight draw back to it is
That the merge option is based on the form(great) but the form must be based on 1 table – if you try to link in qry it falls over ..

There might be a get round on this – but I could not figure it out

 

[Oldsoftboss]

This is my take on it.

It uses a table to store the mail merge name and the qry name that holds the records.

Copy the Db and the word letter to a folder somewhere.

When you select the word document, navigate to the sample letter and then select the mail merge data source.

Once word opens, press the <<ABC>> icon in word to see the results.

Dave

 

[GaryPanic]

hmmm interesting - - relative slick - I might use this if i cannot get the other one working -

 

[Oldsoftboss]

hmmm interesting - - relative slick - I might use this if i cannot get the other one working -

Thank Gary, feel free.

The only issue I have with it is that the source of mail merge data you select is stored in a table, so if your db is locked down the end user cannot add different data sources easily.

Dave

 

[GaryPanic]

what i have done on this super easy word thing -

it only really works on 1 table and 1 form otherwise falls over (well i cannot get it to play anyway-)

solution i have come up with is this

a table containing all the fields I require for my letter merge
a form based on this table

2 qrys -one to populate the table and one to delete once finished i run the append qry on open form and the delete on exit
this I hope will keep file bloat down

your version will be good for something esle I have in mind - but thats a bit further down the line (also helps with insight into what and how people get to solutions -- MS should really come up with an easy solution to this and pack it as standard...

 

[Oldsoftboss]

I would be interested in your solution when it is up and going....

 

[GaryPanic]

I would be interested in your solution when it is up and going....

its done..

what i have done is make a table (empty ) with fields from the various sources and tables etc - my main form has at least 4 tables linked

now have a new form based on this empty table - so its all empty

it works
then I use append qry to populate this empty table (on the open form button - i put the qry in first (with the usual critia forms![formname]!uniqueid)

and it appends one record only into the table and the form opens up with just the 1 record -

and on the exit button i have a delete qry to empty the table

and it works a treat - this probably isn't the tidest way of doing it - but i applied crazy logic tot he problme -

why isn't it work ?- ok works on sample download - ok what differnt between my form and the one on the sample (not much ) really then I deleted all the tables except one and it half worked - so I knew i was going Down the right road . then I had one of the moments and it all fell into place

 

[GaryPanic]

bump .....
lot of word questions being asked