Mail Merge

[Roseyleigh]

I am using Publisher 2003.

One of the fields of data I am using in a mail merge exceeds 255 characters
and I have, therefore, broken this field into three individual merge fields
and put them into one text box. However, even though I have put the fields
directly next to each other (as below), Publisher automatically inputs a
return after each field, so when you look at the merged document a paragraph
return shows mid-sentance.

«sDescription1»«sDescription2»«sDescription3»

Is there a way to turn this auto return off so the info 'appears' as though
it is all in one merge field? (The start of sDescription2 needs to be
directly after the end of sDescription1 - the same for sDescription3 to
sDescription2).

If there is a way around this it will be very gratefully received.

Best regards

 

[Mary Sauer]

Did you type the text directly into the data base or copy/paste from a source?
If it is the latter turn on Special Characters to see if you inadvertently
entered a return or maybe an extra space. (Formatting symbol in Word). I've
tried to duplicate this in Publisher 2003. I did not have the automatic return.

 

[Roseyleigh]

Thanks for your reply Mary. I have tried what you suggested but without much
success I'm afraid. The data is in the form of a .csv file. I've checked
the info on the csv file and it doesn't contain any spaces or returns at the
ends of the fields. When I preview the merge and turn on Special Characters
I can see the return mark at the end of sDescription1 (and 2&3) but as it is
within the merge field I cannot seem to edit it. It is as though it is built
into the merge field. If you cannot replicate this I wonder if there is a
setting to switch this function off (or on)?

Thanks all the same Mary - much appreciated

 

[Mary Sauer]

I used an Excel data and an Access data, neither had the paragraph problem. Can
you copy/paste the data into Word or Publisher, remove the return and then copy
it back. I didn't use a CSV file.