WD2001: How to Include POSTNET and FIM-A Bar Codes in Data Merge to Envelopes (275343)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q275343

SUMMARY

If you are mailing envelopes to U.S. addresses, you can include machine-readable codes on envelopes. These codes can be read by the U.S. Postal Service's automated mail-handling equipment, which can ensure faster mail processing. You can print two types of codes: POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) bar codes and FIM-A (Facing Identification Mark) codes. The POSTNET bar code contains U.S. ZIP Code information from the delivery address. The FIM-A code identifies the address side of a courtesy reply envelope; this helps the mail-handling equipment locate the envelope's POSTNET bar code and postage.

This article describes how to include both types of codes on envelopes in a data merge operation.

MORE INFORMATION

POSTNET Bar Codes

To include POSTNET bar codes above the mailing address on envelopes in a data merge operation, follow these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Word 2001 for Mac and open a new blank document.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Merge Manager.
  3. Under Main Document, click Create , and then click Envelopes.
  4. Under Printing Options, select the option that applies to your printer.
  5. Click Page Setup. If you have a custom envelope size, click Custom. Choose the settings that you want, and then click OK.
  6. In the Data Merge Manager, click Get Data under Data Source, and then click Open Data Source .
  7. Select a Word document, or a worksheet, database, or other list, and then click Open.
  8. Insert merge fields where you want to merge data from the data source. To insert a merge field, under Merge Field, drag the field names that you want into the main document. An insertion point appears to indicate the location.
  9. In the Data Merge Manager, click Postal Code under Data Source.
  10. Under Merge field with ZIP code, select the field used for the ZIP code.
  11. Under Merge field with street address, select the field used for the street address.
  12. Click OK.

    Notice that the POSTNET bar code is located in the merge document immediately above the mailing address.
  13. Complete the merge operation by setting Query Options, and then clicking either Merge to Printer or Merge to New Document.

FIM-A Codes

To include FIM-A codes on envelopes in a data merge, follow these steps:
  1. Follow the steps 1 through 11 for including POSTNET bar codes.
  2. In the Insert Postal Bar Code dialog box, click FIM-A courtesy reply mail, and then click OK.

    Notice that the POSTNET bar code is located in the merge document immediately above the mailing address, and the FIM-A code is located near the upper right corner, beside the place for the stamp.

REFERENCES

For more information about using POSTNET bar codes and FIM-A codes, follow these steps:
  1. On the Help menu, click Contents and Index, click Index, and then click B.
  2. Scroll down until you locate barcode, and then click the arrow to the left to view a list of topics under the general topic.
  3. Click Field codes: Barcode field.
If you cannot find the information that you want, ask the Office Assistant.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/14/2002
Keywords:kbhowto KB275343
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