FULLNAME merge field: how do I get it to just show the first name, i.e. everything before the space

[Sean Steele]

I have a mail merge template that only allows me to insert the
FULLNAME, but I want to be able to just pull the first name from that
field. Is there a way to tell Word to delete everything after the
space? So, the value that would normally be pulled into this field
would be "John Doe." I just want it to pull "John." Let me know if
there is anything I can do.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[macropod]

Hi Sean,

Word's mailmerge can't manipulate the data that way - you'll need to change the data source.

Cheers

 

[+Bob+]

Hi Sean,

Word's mailmerge can't manipulate the data that way - you'll need to change the data source.

Cheers

Or, more directly - this is what happens when people who don't know
squat about designing data storage start storing data. No offense, but
there's a reason people get degrees in subjects like this.

Names (and other data) should generally be stored at the lowest level
and built into large units when needed. So, store Prefix, First Name,
Middle Initial, Last Name, Suffix all separately. Put them together
when needed.

If you have just a few names in your d/b, you can manually correct
them. If you have a lot of names, you will need to have someone write
some programming code to split them out. You will need to follow that
with a manual review to fix the odd balls.

 

[macropod]

On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 09:17:36 +1000, "macropod"


Or, more directly - this is what happens when people who don't know
squat about designing data storage start storing data. No offense, but
there's a reason people get degrees in subjects like this.

Or maybe the OP just has a list of names, that was never intended to be used for mailmerges, and is trying to re-purpose it.

Cheers

 

[+Bob+]

Or maybe the OP just has a list of names, that was never intended to be used for mailmerges, and is trying to re-purpose it.

Cheers

Fair enough! I gave him some instructions at the end if he's in that
situation.

I may be just a little grumpy because of customers who do it
themselves to save a few $s, then get annoyed when I tell them how
much it will cost to fix the mess they've created. Just because you
can buy a hammer doesn't mean you should start building a house