Field Code Execution Order.

[Paul]

When using multiple field codes in a merge document, how do you control the
execution order? I put 13 Ask fields and IF statements into a text box, and
placed the text box on a merge document. The Ask fields are listed in the
execution order I need. When the merge is executed, via a Macrobutton,
question #9 is executed before question #1.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

"merge field codes and text boxes" has never been a very good mix, so
regular mergers probably can't tell you much about how they behave -
although it does surprise me that the natural sequence of the fields is
not followed when they are /all/ in the same text box. If they are
actually in multiple text boxes, AFAICR the sequence of execution is
related to the sequence you actually created the text boxes.

One thing you can try is to convert the text box to an old-style Word
frame. (Format text box->text box->convert to frame. I would not be
certain that that wil fix this particular problem. If you have multiple
text boxes, AFAIK Word follows the sequence of paragraphs in the main
document body, i.e. if you have a frame anchored to para. 1, the fields
in there should be executed before the fields in a frame anchored to
para. 2.But even that may not be guaranteed.

Peter Jamieson

http://tips.pjmsn.me.uk

 

[Paul]

Thanks Peter.
The problem does seem to be the text boxes and some spaces between statements.

 

[Paul]

Problem resolved!

Peter I thought you might like to know that the main problem was old codes
in other text boxes on the document. By removing the text box I was trying
to add (which should contain all of the field codes on the document) then
performing the merge. I found additional field codes that should have been
removed. Once removed, I returned the text box containing all of the field
codes to the document and it worked perfectly!

Thanks for the help.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Well spotted!

Peter Jamieson

http://tips.pjmsn.me.uk