time format from hh:mm:ss to h:mm

[Diana]

I have been trying forever and no luck at all!!!
I have changed the the whole column under format cell/Number/Category/time
and selected 13:30 (english USA) When I then try to do a mail merge in word
2003 the merged field still comes up hh:mm:ss which I don't want???
Any help greatly appreaciated.

 

[Fred Smith]

Unfortunately, mail merge doesn't look at the cell's format, only its number
type.

Either create a text field, using a formula like:
=text(a1,"hh:mm")

or specify the format in your Word document.

Regards,
Fred

 

[Dave Peterson]

Saved from a previous post:

Lots of times, it's easier to use MSWord for printing and Excel (or some other
database application) as the source.

You may want to read some tips for mailmerge.
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/mailmerg.htm
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/MailMerge

The first is from David McRitchie and the second is by Beth Melton and Dave
Rado.

And if you notice problems with the formatting of data (like zipcodes)...

Debra Dalgleish posted this:

There's an article on the Microsoft web site that might help you:

Answer Box: Numbers don't merge right in Word
http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/assistance/HA011164951033.aspx

And if you prefer the old Mail Merge helper, Word MVP Suzanne Barnhill
has instructions here:

http://sbarnhill.mvps.org/WordFAQs/CustomizingWord2002.htm

about half way down the page.

==========
I often cheat instead of racking my brain.

I'll insert another column (probably hidden!) and use:
=text(a2,"ddmmyy")
or
=text(a2,"mm:ss.0")
or
=text(a2,"00000")
(or whatever format I want)
and use that field in the mailmerge.

(Cheating doesn't bother me anymore <vbg>.)