Description of the Mail Merge Wizard (115036)

MORE INFORMATION

Using a Microsoft FoxPro table, the Mail Merge Wizard creates a data source that your word processor can use in a mail merge. After completing the wizard, follow your word processor's steps for merging this data source with a main document such as a form letter, label, envelope, or catalog.

NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows for the mail merge, you must first clear the Exclusive check box in the Catalog Manager Settings dialog (to turn exclusive OFF). If you don't clear the check box, a "File in Use" error occurs before you can complete the wizard.

MAIL MERGE WIZARD STEPS

Step 1 of 5: Selecting a Table

NOTE: This step is skipped in FoxPro 2.6x if you start the wizard from the Catalog Manager, and a table is already in use. In Visual FoxPro, this step is never skipped. It allows you to open a new table or select one from an open database, and pick the fields you want to use for the mail merge.

First select the table you want to use as a data source for your mail merge. The list contains the tables that were open when you started the wizard. If you want to use a table that is not currently open, choose the Open... button.

Step 2 of 5: Specifying Your Word Processing Program

From the list, select the word processing program you'll be using.

If you choose the Word for MS-DOS, WordPerfect, or Other options, the wizard skips to Step 5 of 5 so you can complete the mail merge.

Step 3 of 5: Selecting or Creating a Main Document (Microsoft Word for Windows users)

If you selected Microsoft Word version 2.0 or 6.0 for Windows, this screen displays so you can either create a new main document or select a main document you have already created.

If you need to create a main document, select the Create new document option, and choose Next to continue.

If you have already created a main document, select the Use existing document option and enter the file name, or choose the File... button to open the document, then choose Next. The wizard will skip to Step 5 of 5.

Step 4 of 5: Specifying the Type of Main Document (Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows Users Only)

This step appears only if you choose to create a new Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows main document.

Select the type of Microsoft Word 6.0 main document you want to create: form letter, label, envelope, or catalog. Consult you Microsoft Word documentation for more information about these options.

Step 5 of 5: Completing the Mail Merge

If you are using Microsoft Word version 2.0 or 6.0 for Windows, choosing the Finish button starts up Microsoft Word so that you can continue with the mail merge process.

If you are using another word processor, choosing the Finish button displays the Save As dialog, so that you can save your source document as a text file. Next, start your word processor and use the document you created as a data source for the mail merge.