Mail Merge Limitations of ClarisWorks 4.0

Here are some tips to better help you to understand what is and isn't available when using Mail Merge in ClarisWorks 4.0

Users of ClarisWorks 4.0 through 4.0v3 should update to version 4.0v4. An updater is available online from ClarisWeb at http://www.claris.com. It is also available on America Online (keyword: Claris) or Compuserve (Go MacClaris) or by phone at (800)544-8554.

1. When more than one field is on a line and they are all blank, the text below will not slide up to fill in the blank line. Sliding up works correctly, though, when there is a single field on a line in your merge document. So, to eliminate blank lines in your merge letter, go back to your database and define a calculation field that combines the contents of the multiple fields. Then use that calculation field in your merge document.

For example, let's say that you're merging two fields on a line called FirstName and LastName. Go to your database file and go to Define Fields. Define a new field called FullName, make it a calculation field with this formula:

IF(ISBLANK('FirstName'),"",'FirstName'&"^") & 'LastName'

In this formula, type a space where you see the caret (^). Set the calculation to result in Text.
Go back to your form letter and remove the FirstName and LastName fields. Place the FullName field in their place.

2. If a field has more than one line worth of text, it will truncate (cut off) at the end of the line.

An example of a field with more than one line of text:
Memo field (text) "Hello to all good people of the republic. Thank you for your support of my campaign for election."

Merge document:
<<Memo>>

Result:
Hello to all good people of the republic. Thank you for your support of my campaign for

Notice the word "election." is cut off and does not wrap to the next line.

Work Around:
None known at this time. You need to limit text in a field to no more than one line of text. Returns in a field are ignored and will not create a new line.

3. A field used in a line with text before the merge field causes the field to drop to the next line. The text over one line is still cut off.

An example of field dropping to the next line:
Product field (text) "textile equipment with optional quantity feeder"

Merge document:
We are glad to fill your order. We will be shipping your order of <<Product>> by the 15th of the month.

Result:
We are glad to fill your order. We will be shipping your order of
textile equipment with optional quantity feeder by the 15th of the month.

The entire contents of the field Product is moved to the next line. Wrapping of data within the field does not occur.

Work Around:
None known at this time. Text in a field cannot wrap to the next line so paragraph structure must not try to wrap data to a new line.