Variable data on a fixed page background

[RizzKid]

I have got a mailer which I have produced and used in the past. The outside
sheet (a Word doc) has got graphics and text, leaving a space on the sheet
for the receiver's address. I have an application that produces an RTF file
of the addresses, each separated by page breaks. In the past, if I had 1000
addresses in the RTF file, I would print 1000 copies of the fixed background,
then format the RTF using margin settings to position the address lines
properly, then run the already-printed sheets through the printer again to
get the addresses printed. The print shop charges me for 2000 copies. What a
waste, when I know I should be able to produce a file of 1000 pages
containing both the background and the variable data.

Trouble is, I can't think of a clever way to do this (even though I have
proof I accomplished it once before). I am willing and able to write Word
macros. I tried using text boxes for the addresses (which is how my earlier
attempt worked), but can't figure out how to get one text box generated
automatically on each page. I tried using Word's page background feature for
the fixed portion, but it is a combination of text and graphics, and besides,
the graphics become washed out. I'm open to any suggestions or ideas.

 

[macropod]

Hi RizzKid,

From what you've described, you can use Word's Mailmerge facility for this. All you need to do is to set the document up as a
mailmerge main document, which you link to your address data source, then insert the relevant mailmerge fields where you want them
to appear on the page. Once you've done that, run the mailmerge.

 

[RizzKid]

Ah, yes. That's what I must have done in the past. The variable data is 3 or
four lines per person. I'm sure I did some reformatting with the paragraph
marks so that I could load it into Excel, then used a mail merge to put the
four columns into a text box. Is there any way to do this without leaving
Word to go to Excel and back to Word?

And thanks for you help.

Hi RizzKid,

From what you've described, you can use Word's Mailmerge facility for this. All you need to do is to set the document up as a
mailmerge main document, which you link to your address data source, then insert the relevant mailmerge fields where you want them
to appear on the page. Once you've done that, run the mailmerge.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

I have got a mailer which I have produced and used in the past. The outside
sheet (a Word doc) has got graphics and text, leaving a space on the sheet
for the receiver's address. I have an application that produces an RTF file
of the addresses, each separated by page breaks. In the past, if I had 1000
addresses in the RTF file, I would print 1000 copies of the fixed background,
then format the RTF using margin settings to position the address lines
properly, then run the already-printed sheets through the printer again to
get the addresses printed. The print shop charges me for 2000 copies. What a
waste, when I know I should be able to produce a file of 1000 pages
containing both the background and the variable data.

Trouble is, I can't think of a clever way to do this (even though I have
proof I accomplished it once before). I am willing and able to write Word
macros. I tried using text boxes for the addresses (which is how my earlier
attempt worked), but can't figure out how to get one text box generated
automatically on each page. I tried using Word's page background feature for
the fixed portion, but it is a combination of text and graphics, and besides,
the graphics become washed out. I'm open to any suggestions or ideas.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi RizzKid,

With a mailmerge, you need two files, the mailmerge :
1. data source
2. main document
The data source may be an Excel spreadsheet, Word table, csv text file, Access database, etc. Once you've set up both the data
source and the mailmerge main document, the only need you might have to go back & forth between the two is for maintenance - you
maintain the data in the data source and the document layout in the mailmerge main document.

If you've got multiple records per person, you could use a Catalogue/Directory Mailmerge (the terminology depends on the Word
version). To see how, check out my Word 97-2007 Catalogue/Directory Mailmerge Tutorial at:
http://lounge.windowssecrets.com/index.php?showtopic=731107
or
http://www.gmayor.com/Zips/Catalogue Mailmerge.zip
Do read the tutorial before trying to use the mailmerge document included with it.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Ah, yes. That's what I must have done in the past. The variable data is 3 or
four lines per person. I'm sure I did some reformatting with the paragraph
marks so that I could load it into Excel, then used a mail merge to put the
four columns into a text box. Is there any way to do this without leaving
Word to go to Excel and back to Word?

And thanks for you help.

Hi RizzKid,

From what you've described, you can use Word's Mailmerge facility for this. All you need to do is to set the document up as a
mailmerge main document, which you link to your address data source, then insert the relevant mailmerge fields where you want
them
to appear on the page. Once you've done that, run the mailmerge.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

I have got a mailer which I have produced and used in the past. The outside
sheet (a Word doc) has got graphics and text, leaving a space on the sheet
for the receiver's address. I have an application that produces an RTF file
of the addresses, each separated by page breaks. In the past, if I had 1000
addresses in the RTF file, I would print 1000 copies of the fixed background,
then format the RTF using margin settings to position the address lines
properly, then run the already-printed sheets through the printer again to
get the addresses printed. The print shop charges me for 2000 copies. What a
waste, when I know I should be able to produce a file of 1000 pages
containing both the background and the variable data.

Trouble is, I can't think of a clever way to do this (even though I have
proof I accomplished it once before). I am willing and able to write Word
macros. I tried using text boxes for the addresses (which is how my earlier
attempt worked), but can't figure out how to get one text box generated
automatically on each page. I tried using Word's page background feature for
the fixed portion, but it is a combination of text and graphics, and besides,
the graphics become washed out. I'm open to any suggestions or ideas.

.