[Solved] Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
[Solved] Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
Hello! I am using OpenOffice 4.1.3 to create a form letter. Whether I use mail merge wizard or I manually insert fields in my letter, the inserted field is displaying the full path of my data source. In the past if I had a data source with sheet one with a first name field it would just insert <first name>. Now it is inserting the full path of the data source. Say my source is “Lodge Members”, with a table of “Dues” with a field of “First Name”. It inserts Lodge Member.Dues.First Name in my document. Strange as it prints okay. It just adds a lot of messy clutter to the edited document. Am I missing something? Thanks!
Last edited by mooser on Sun Nov 27, 2016 6:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.3 on Windows 7 Professional
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
Welcome to the forum.
Can you upload a small example .odt file (the document) and .ods (spreadsheet source) or .odb (database source) file demonstrating the problem - use the Upload Attachment tab below where you type. I assume you registered the source.
There is much useful information in the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials, the up to date Writer guide and the OOo v3.3 Writer Manual - see Chapter 11 Using Mail Merge. When a pop-up window opens, click the Help button for extensive help on that function - it is often more comprehensive and up to date than the manual.
Can you upload a small example .odt file (the document) and .ods (spreadsheet source) or .odb (database source) file demonstrating the problem - use the Upload Attachment tab below where you type. I assume you registered the source.
There is much useful information in the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials, the up to date Writer guide and the OOo v3.3 Writer Manual - see Chapter 11 Using Mail Merge. When a pop-up window opens, click the Help button for extensive help on that function - it is often more comprehensive and up to date than the manual.
LO 6.4.4.2, Windows 10 Home 64 bit
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
Thank you for your reply. I have uploaded a copy of the the odt document. Changed personal stuff and a small extract of the calc I am using. Yes it is all registered. Thank you.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.3 on Windows 7 Professional
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
It seems to work OK for me.
Don't forget you need a database file, which has nothing in it; as well as the spreadsheet file. These are the OOv2 instructions I followed where both database and spreadsheet files were named RAC 2017 DUES because that is the database file name stored in the .odt file.
Step 1 - register the spreadsheet with OOv2 as a database
FILE > NEW > DATABASE > CONNECT TO EXISTING > choose SPREADSHEET > NEXT > browse for the spreadsheet file > NEXT > YES - REGISTER > FINISH > save as database > call it fred. This creates a database (call it fred.odb) in OO which is linked to fred.ods. If you add a new name to fred.ods, it will be seen by OO when you create the labels.
If this solves the problem, please click the Edit button on your original post and add [Solved] in front of your subject.
Don't forget you need a database file, which has nothing in it; as well as the spreadsheet file. These are the OOv2 instructions I followed where both database and spreadsheet files were named RAC 2017 DUES because that is the database file name stored in the .odt file.
Step 1 - register the spreadsheet with OOv2 as a database
FILE > NEW > DATABASE > CONNECT TO EXISTING > choose SPREADSHEET > NEXT > browse for the spreadsheet file > NEXT > YES - REGISTER > FINISH > save as database > call it fred. This creates a database (call it fred.odb) in OO which is linked to fred.ods. If you add a new name to fred.ods, it will be seen by OO when you create the labels.
If this solves the problem, please click the Edit button on your original post and add [Solved] in front of your subject.
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LO 6.4.4.2, Windows 10 Home 64 bit
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
Hello, again thank you for your help.
I followed the steps you outlined to be sure that I was not missing anything. Yes, I could insert the data fields into my form letter. It printed fine.
I hit F4 to pick my data source. I dragged the field into my document. I think I am under the assumption that when I drag my field into the document it should show up as <First Name>. It does not, it shows with my data source name, sheet and then the field without the less and greater symbols.
I have included a JPG of the letter showing the field insert. I guess I am being OCD.
I followed the steps you outlined to be sure that I was not missing anything. Yes, I could insert the data fields into my form letter. It printed fine.
I hit F4 to pick my data source. I dragged the field into my document. I think I am under the assumption that when I drag my field into the document it should show up as <First Name>. It does not, it shows with my data source name, sheet and then the field without the less and greater symbols.
I have included a JPG of the letter showing the field insert. I guess I am being OCD.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.3 on Windows 7 Professional
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
I assume you are saying you get the data in the wrong field.
I have not done it by dragging. I tell the letter (or label - it's essentially the same) which fields to put where - see full instructions here: Re: Producing Address labels.
Also see Chapter 11 - Using Mail Merge in the manual which has detailed instructions.
I have not done it by dragging. I tell the letter (or label - it's essentially the same) which fields to put where - see full instructions here: Re: Producing Address labels.
Also see Chapter 11 - Using Mail Merge in the manual which has detailed instructions.
LO 6.4.4.2, Windows 10 Home 64 bit
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.
Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
Re: Weird Mail Merge Field Insert
It's just a display issue. Menu: View | Field Names ( Ctrl+F9 ) to toggle.mooser wrote:Hello, again thank you for your help.
<First Name>[/b]. It does not, it shows with my data source name, sheet and then the field without the less and greater symbols.
If this fixes it, please mark original message "solved."
Libre Office 24.2.7.2 Ubuntu 24.04