WD2000: Error Message: "Fields Are Nested Too Deeply" in Mail Merge (220250)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q220250

SYMPTOMS

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

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you do either of the following:
  • You use more than 20 levels of nested fields.

    -or-
  • You use an INCLUDETEXT field to insert a subdocument that contains nested IF fields.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain Microsoft Office 2000 Service Release 1/1a (SR-1/SR-1a).

To obtain SR-1/SR-1a, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

245025 OFF2000: How to Obtain and Install Microsoft Office 2000 Service Release 1/1a (SR-1/SR-1a)

NOTE: Office 2000 Service Release 1 does not remove the 20-level limitation. It only resolves the problem if you are using INCLUDETEXT fields and have fewer than 20 levels of nesting, and if the error message appears when you print.

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 that contains the nested IF fields the mail-merge main document.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
This problem was corrected in Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1/SR-1a.

MORE INFORMATION

IF (If...Then...Else...) fields print information only if a condition that you specify 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 that 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 one 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 more information about IF fields, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type What are some examples of an IF field? in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/21/2003
Keywords:kbnofix kbprb KB220250
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.