Hide Merge Field Code In Printed Document

[Guest]

I would like to hide merge fields embedded in printed documents when there is
no data for the merge field to pull. Stated differently, I DO NOT want the
merge field code to print. I want to have a blank space instead of the merge
field code when there is NO data for the merge field code to pull (instead of
having the merge field code like "<<SellerName>>" show up in the printed
document, I want a blank space where there is NO data to pull). Thanks

 

[CyberTaz]

Generally speaking that's exactly what should happen - as long as you don't
have Field Codes checked in Print Options. Are you saying that the field
codes *are* printing or that seeing them on screen causes you to believe
that they *will* print? Also, which version of Word?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Guest]

Field codes are printing when no data is available. I am using Word 2003
(through another web based application). In Tools, Options, Print Tab, the
only items checked are "Allow A4" and "Drawing Objects." I do not know where
to choose to "uncheck" printing field codes. Under "Include with document"
category, "Field codes" IS NOT checked so I do not know why docs print with
field codes.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

What is printing is not the field codes (such as { MERGEFIELD "Last_Name" })
but the representation of the field codes that Word inserts in a mail merge
main document to indicate the position of the field codes (such as
«Last_Name»). I don't know any way around this except to format them as
white.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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[CyberTaz]

I guess I misunderstood. It sounded like you were doing a merge & the field
codes were printing in copies where a certain field might be null for any
given record.

Based on what Suzanne wrote it sounds more like you are actually printing
the Form Letter doc itself rather than doing a merge. If that's the case
she's absolutely correct - you'd need to use white as the font color or
apply the Hidden font attribute. If you need to print unmerged copies
frequently, however, I'd suggest that you Save As to create a copy for that
purpose & just replace the placeholders in that copy with carriage returns
or tabs as appropriate. That way you don't have to keep modifying the actual
Form Letter doc.