WD97: Cannot Change Default Data Field Names in Mail Merge Helper (181062)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q181062

SYMPTOMS

You cannot change the list of default mail merge field names in the Create Data Source dialog box.

CAUSE

You cannot change these defaults because the names are hard-coded in the Word program.

WORKAROUND

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http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS


Although you cannot change the defaults, you can use the following sample macro to automatically change the field names when you create a mail merge data file.

NOTE: Run the following macro to create a new data source instead of using Create Data Source (in the Mail Merge Helper, click Get Data). After the data source is created using the sample macro, then in the Mail Merge Helper, click Get Data and then click Open Data Source to attach the data source you created using your custom macro.

This sample macro fills the mail merge Create Data Source dialog list box with fields you specify within the macro. 
   Sub SetDefaultheaderFields()
      Set mydialog = Dialogs(wdDialogMailMergeCreateDataSource)
      With mydialog
         .HeaderRecord = "one, two, three, etc."
         .Show
      End With
   End Sub

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about working with dialog boxes in Word, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic for Applications Editor, type "built-in dialogs," click Search, and then click to view "Displaying built- in Word dialog boxes."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

176476 OFF97: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

163435 VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/17/2005
Keywords:kbdtacode kbmacroexample kbmerge kbprb KB181062
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