Err Msg: "Fields Are Nested Too Deeply" in a Mail Merge (176881)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q176881

SYMPTOMS

When you use a nested IF field in a Word mail merge, the following error message may appear:
Fields are nested too deeply
NOTE: This error message may also appear when you use an INCLUDETEXT field as part of a mail merge main document to insert (include) a document containing a nested IF field, even when the nested IF field does not contain more than 20 levels.

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. Word supports field nesting only to 20 levels.

NOTE: If you use an INCLUDETEXT field to insert a subdocument (containing nested IF fields) in a mail merge main document, the nested IF fields are nested several levels deeper than you may expect and may result in the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do one of the following: Use a nested IF field of 20 or fewer levels.

-or-

Do not use an INCLUDETEXT field to include a subdocument in a mail merge main document. Instead, make the subdocument containing the nested IF fields the mail merge main document.

MORE INFORMATION

IF (If...Then...Else...) fields print information only if a condition you've specified is met. For example, you can use an IF field to create a form letter that goes only to clients who live within a particular ZIP Code area.

IF fields perform one of two alternative actions, depending on a condition you specify. For example, the statement "If the weather is sunny, we'll go to the park; if not, we'll go to the movies" specifies a condition that must be met (sunny weather) for a certain action to take place (going to the park). If the condition is not met, an alternative action occurs (going to the movies).

The following is an example of nesting MERGEFIELD fields 20 levels deep:

{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD1} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD2} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD3} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD4} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD5} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD6} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD7} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD8} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD9} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD10} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD11} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD12} <> "" {IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD13} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD14} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD15} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD16} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD17} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD18} <> "" "{IF
{MERGEFIELD FIELD19} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD20} <> "" "True"
"False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
"False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
"False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

90393 WD: How to Use Nested IF Fields in a Print Merge Document

For more information about conditional Word fields, click the Office Assistant, type "nesting if fields," click Search, and then click to view "Customize documents created with mail merge."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbfield kbmerge kbprb KB176881
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