Printing envelopes or mailing labels

[tom]

I'm using Word 2003 SP2. Recently, every time I print an envelope or try a
mail merge (from Access or Word) I am getting a line of characters that don't
make any sense.
It starts above the address, in the middle of the envelope and reads:
(A box character)BARCODE "
(BOX)MERGEFIELD zip (BOX)62736-
0001(BOX)
"\u

Neither the return address or the addressee have that zip code. I have
checked to see if there are any hidden codes, but see none.
I beieve it started after one of the MS automatic updates but can't prove it
since I don't do envelopes too often.
Any HELP?

 

[Graham Mayor]

Do you mean: {BARCODE "{MERGEFIELD ZIP}"62736-0001}"\u} ?
Tools > options > print > uncheck 'field codes'
It seems you have a barcode field on your envelope.

The barcode produced by Word is POSTNET.
The USPS no longer accepts that format for bulk mail discounts -- see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897290. You might as well not use the
barcode feature at all.

See http://www.gmayor.com/changing_envelope_layout.htm

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[tom]

No, I mean an ASCII character that looks like a box. I entered what is being
printed on the envelope EXACTLY (except for the box character). Field codes
IS unchecked, as is the POSTNET option.
How do I delete this barcode field from the envelope? It appears whether I
use a mail merge table or a single address from TOOLS, ENVELOPES, etc.

 

[Graham Mayor]

Hmmmm. I'd be tempted to look out for an autotext entry called
EnvelopeExtra1 or EnvelopeExtra2 which would be added to any envelope you
create. Also see what is contained in the user information - mailing address
section at tools > options.

Does the problem occur if you start Word in its safe mode (hold the CTRL key
whilst starting Word)? If not see
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm then
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProbsOpeningWord.htm particularly the
references to normal.dot and the registry Data key.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[tom]

Yes, it ocurred in the safe mode also.
What do I try next?

Tom

 

[tom]

Graham,
It's about 2 minutes later and after I re-re-read your last reply,
specifically the line
"Also see what is contained in the user information - mailing address
section at tools > options.". Well, I did and there was nothing obvious
until I noticed that there was a vertical scroll bar. This made no sense,
since I had only a three line address. When I scrolled down, probably 10 to
12 lines, there was, what appeared to be a " character in the first column of
that line. I deleted it, reprint the envelope and the mysterious line
disappeared. I will continue to double check, but I thought I'd "close the
loop". Strange?
Tom

 

[Graham Mayor]

Glad you bottomed this - there are really only three ways you can get data
on an envelope
1. The EnvelopeExtra1&2 autotexts
2. The User Address info
and
3. What you enter there.
The User Address can be a pain. I tend to have no information saved there
and I use the method I created at
http://www.gmayor.com/Alternative_Return_Addresses.htm if I want extra
information on the envelope.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>