No longer able to print labels using Works 4

[robbieschulte]

After printing labels for many years using Microsoft Works 4.0, I can n
longer perform these
functions. Having purchased a new computer with Microsoft
Works Suite 2003, I can no
longer do what I had successfully been doing.

I use to use a Works database (wdb), converted from a dbx database
with a large number of addresses. I have not found out how to d
previous functions in selecting from the database and printing Aver
tenmplate labels with the Microsoft
programs.

Any suiggestions how I can do what I did in Works 4 or how I ca
download works 4 onto my new computer with XP as I have the progra
still on disc.
Robert Schult

 

[Peter Jamieson]

1. This is really a /Word/ group and you may need to post your question in a
Works group.

how I can
download works 4 onto my new computer with XP as I have the program
still on disc.

2. If you still have the disk(s) then you ought to be able to install Works
4 using them, as long as you have
a. a drive that can read the disks on your new PC
b. any necessary licence code

However, if I were doing that I would
c. ensure I had CDs and SETUP licence keys for the version of Works Suite
loaded on my new PC first, just in case
d. use Windows Start|All Programs|Accessories|System Tools|System Restore
to create a Restore Point before starting (have a look at the Windows XP
Help if you haven't used this feature before)

3. Although I don't know Works that well, the chances are that the main
difference between your old Works 4 and the new Works Suite is that the
"Works" word processor has been replaced by the "Word XP" (Word 2002) word
processor and that there is a template in the suite to help you with such
things as label printing and so on. But
e. can you open your .wdb?
f. what goes wrong when you try to do the merge? Is it primarily that you
just prefer to do it the old way (in which case I think I'd go the "install
the old software" route as you suggest)? Or are you having ddifficulty
working out which feature to use (in which case, maybe we, or someone in a
Works group can help)? Or is it that something goes wrong? - if so, what?

Peter Jamieson

 

[robbieschulte]

Thank you Peter for your prompt reply and guidance. I have had no luc
in installing the program onto new laptop, starts to install but the
stops.
Yes, it could be that I do not fully understand the procedures fo
using the new Works program, installed as purchased.
My original program opened up a label setup page (single labels,fro
database) or multi label from input, using Avert template pages. I
then open a selected wdb database file and allowed selection of entrie
required to be printed creating a temp file of selection made.
In the new Works program I can open the wdb database, and selec
required entries but then cannot proceed to opening a label selectio
and setup page.
I am sorry about using this forum instead of a Works Forum (which I di
not find) but followed mailmerge, as this is part of what I am trying t
do. Thanks for your help so far and if you cannot help anymore I wil
try to find a Works Forum.
Regards Robert Schult

 

[Peter Jamieson]

There's a Works group called microsoft.public.works.win

Here, I'm using a copy of Works Suite 2004 (which I don't know very well, so
bear with me). This is what I do - if you can't see what I see then let me
know what you are seeing and I'll try to follow.

Open up the overall Works Program, which displays icons across the top for
Home, Templates, Programs, Projects, History.

Click templates. A list of template categories is displayed on the left,
with a number of templates in the selected category in the pane on the
right.

Choose category Letters and Labels. In the right-hand pane, choose
Mail-merge documents (the"return Address labels" template is for printing
sheets of the same label).

Word opens, with a dialog box saying "Select document type for mail merge".

Choose "Mailing labels".then OK

Word displays a dialog showing "Merge from the address book" and "Merge
information from another type of file".

Choose "Merge information from another type of file"

In "Open Data Source" locate, select and open your .wdb file.

Word displays a message telling you to click Setup in Step 1 in the next
dialog box, and various additional instructions. Make notes!

Click Setup in Step 1, choose the printer and label type ("Avery standard"
are U.S. paper sizes - you may need that, or Avery A4 and A5 sizes. If your
label type isn't listed then you'll have to click New Label to set up the
layout. Click OK.

You should not need to do anything in step 2. You may notice that the Data
source is not the .wdb you specified, but a .mdb. This is a temporary file
that will contain a copy of the records in your .wdb

If you need to set a sort order or filter out any records in your .wdb,
clcik the Query Options button in step 3 and define your sequence/filters.

Click Close in the Mail Merge Helper dialog.

You should see a document layout with "labels". All except the first should
just say "<<Next Record>> You may also see a Mail Merge toolbar. If you do
not, use Tools|Customize to enable it.

You can use the 5th button on that toolbar to enter fields from your .wdb
into the first label of the sheet, then use Word formatting facilities to
lay the label out (I imagine this could be a steep learning curve if you are
unfamiliar with Word). Then locate and click the "Propagate labels" button -
I think it is the 9th on the Mailmerge toolbar - to copy your layout to the
other labels.

Then click either the "merge to printer" or "merge to document" icon near
the right-hand end of the mailmerge toolbar. At first, I would merge to a
new document, then print a few pages of the new document on plain paper if
possible and check that the layout is what you need before printing to real
label stick.

Then either print the document onto labels (doing it in small batches at a
time might make sense the first time around) or merge directly to your label
printer.

That's the best I can do for now...

Peter Jamieson

 

[robbieschulte]

Hi Peter, sorry about the delay in coming back but had log on problem.
Thank you for all the guidance that you gave me. Whilst off line
have been folowing your guidance and have made progress. My Work
suite is 2002 and so the pages were not all the same as you descibe
but I could follow. I have at last been able to follow th
"sort/filter" stuation which was a main stumbling block before. In m
old Works prgram by ticking the box on the left side of data entries,
temp database was formed from which you could work, and you continuall
made new temp databases for the number of entries you wanted toprint..
In the new suite you have to use filters, I used marked records only
and you can select as necessary.
I will continue now to perfect the best procedure forme and hopefull
get the correct labels printed.
Many thanks again for your help
Robert Schult

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Robbie - thanks for the feedback.

Peter Jamieson