Incorrect Results Using Backslash in Conditional Merge (188568)

SYMPTOMS

When you use a conditional MergeField for a result that includes quotation marks, the result of the field will contain a backslash.

For example, if you have the following conditional statement in your mail merge main document, which uses backslashes to have quotation marks appear in the result of a true condition for a record,

   {IF {MERGEFIELD name} = "Jo Brown" "\"Now is the time...\"" "false
   condition"}

you would expect to receive the result of "Now is the time" on a true statement. However, Word gives you the following result:

   "Now is the time...\"

NOTE: This problem may also occur with commas or backslashes.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use a unique character in place of the quotation mark. After the merge is completed, use the Replace command to search for the unique character and replace it with a quotation mark. (Note that the character you choose should not occur elsewhere in your document.)

Example

In the merge field, use the pound sign instead of quotation marks.

   {IF {MERGEFIELD name} = "Jo Brown" "#Now is the time...#" "false
   condition"}

After the merge is completed, follow these steps to replace the pound sign with a quotation mark:

On the Edit menu, click Replace.
In the Find what box, type the unique character (the pound sign in this example).
In the Replace with box, type a quotation mark.

All instances of the unique character (the pound sign in this example) will be replaced with a quotation mark.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this issue, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

197841 WD98: Certain Characters Do Not Appear in Field Result