WD97: Envelope Command Fails to Pick Up Print Merge Address Fields (108500)

SYMPTOMS

In Word for Windows, if you create a mail merge main document, and then choose Envelopes And Labels from the Tools menu, the envelope dialog box does not pick up some or all of the merge fields, even if they are selected.

CAUSE

There is a limit to the number of characters the envelope dialog box can support. If the address the envelope feature is trying to read has too many characters, the envelope dialog box will appear blank or will not display all of the address lines.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Shorten length of fields

Shorten the length of the print merge fields.

Method 2: Add envelope to document

Add the envelope to the mail merge main document and then copy and paste the address print merge fields from the document to the envelope, or use the Insert Merge Field button to add the address merge fields to the envelope.

Method 3: Directly insert fields

In the Envelopes and Labels dialog box, press CTRL+F9 to insert the field braces and then type the field names.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Word listed at the beginning of this article.