Formatting Data in a Print Merge in Works for Windows (103677)

SUMMARY

When you merge data from a Works database to a Word Processing file, the data coming from the database is represented by a placeholder with the name of the field. Character formats in a database document are not transferred into the merged document. You can format merged data to a particular font, style, or size by formatting the placeholder. For example, to format the names of companies as bold, format the company placeholder in the word processing document as bold.

You can also align numeric data in columns using custom tab settings. Using the SPACEBAR or the default tabs may cause misalignment of the merged numeric data.

MORE INFORMATION

The following two methods can be used to align numeric data:

Set a decimal tab at the position where you want the decimal points in the data to line up.

Using the TAB key, move the placeholders to the decimal tab setting. (The placeholders will align to the left of the tab setting.)

If the field names are different sizes, the placeholders will appear out of alignment. This does not affect the positioning of the merged data.
If the numeric data contains a fixed number of digits after the decimal point for example, currency with cents after the decimal point, a right-aligned tab may be set for the column of placeholders instead of a decimal tab.

How to Set Custom Tabs in Works

Select the paragraph in which you want a tab stop.
On the Format menu, click Tabs.
In the Position box, type the position you want for the tab stop.
Under Alignment and Leader, select the options you want.
Click the Set button (click Insert in Works versions 3.0 and 2.0).
Repeat steps 3 through 5 to insert as many tab stops as you want.
Click OK.