WD2000: Letter Wizard Replaces Merge Field with AutoTextList (189239)
The information in this article applies to:
This article was previously published under Q189239 SYMPTOMS
When you create a mail merge main document, and you answer Yes when the
Office Assistant asks whether you want help writing your letter, the merge
field is replaced with an AutoTextList field. When you perform the merge,
the AutoTextList field is replaced with the field name enclosed in
chevrons (<<>>). For example, if your document contains the following
Dear {MergeField FirstName},
and you select the option to get help writing your letter, the content
changes to the following:
CAUSE
The Letter Wizard replaces the {MergeField FirstName} field with the
{AutoTextList} field.
WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.
Method 1: Replace the {AutoTextList} field after closing the Letter Wizard.- Complete the letter with the help of the Office Assistant. (See the
"More Information" section later in this article for the steps to do
this.)
- On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the View tab.
- Under Show, click to select the Field Codes check box, and then click
OK.
- Delete the {AutoTextList} field.
- Type your salutation, and then reinsert the {MergeField FirstName}
field.
NOTE: To turn the field code off, click Options on the Tools menu, and then
on the View tab, click to clear the Field Codes check box.
Method 2: Create the main document before attaching the data source.- On the File menu, click New, and then click the Letters & Faxes tab.
- Select the Letter Wizard, and then click OK.
- The Office Assistant prompts you to select an option. Click Send
letters to a mailing list.
The Mail Merge Helper appears.
- Click Get Data, click Open Data Source, select the document that
contains your data, and then click Open.
- Click Edit Main Document.
- Select the {AutoTextList} field, and then press DELETE.
- Click the Insert Merge Field button on the Mail Merge toolbar, and then
click the merge field you want to use.
STATUSMicrosoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 12/6/2000 |
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Keywords: | kbbug KB189239 |
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