WD2000: Letter Wizard Replaces Merge Field with AutoTextList

ID: Q189239

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you create a mail merge main document, and you answer Yes when the Office Assistant asks whether you want help writing your letter, the merge field is replaced with an AutoTextList field. When you perform the merge, the AutoTextList field is replaced with the field name enclosed in chevrons (<<>>). For example, if your document contains the following

Dear {MergeField FirstName},
and you select the option to get help writing your letter, the content changes to the following:
{AutoTextList}


CAUSE

The Letter Wizard replaces the {MergeField FirstName} field with the {AutoTextList} field.


WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Replace the {AutoTextList} field after closing the Letter Wizard.

  1. Complete the letter with the help of the Office Assistant. (See the "More Information" section later in this article for the steps to do this.)


  2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the View tab.


  3. Under Show, click to select the Field Codes check box, and then click OK.


  4. Delete the {AutoTextList} field.


  5. Type your salutation, and then reinsert the {MergeField FirstName} field.


NOTE: To turn the field code off, click Options on the Tools menu, and then on the View tab, click to clear the Field Codes check box.

Method 2: Create the main document before attaching the data source.

  1. On the File menu, click New, and then click the Letters & Faxes tab.


  2. Select the Letter Wizard, and then click OK.


  3. The Office Assistant prompts you to select an option. Click Send letters to a mailing list.

    The Mail Merge Helper appears.


  4. Click Get Data, click Open Data Source, select the document that contains your data, and then click Open.


  5. Click Edit Main Document.


  6. Select the {AutoTextList} field, and then press DELETE.


  7. Click the Insert Merge Field button on the Mail Merge toolbar, and then click the merge field you want to use.



STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

To use the Office Assistant to help you write your letter, follow these steps:

  1. Start a new Word document.


  2. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.


  3. In the Mail Merge Helper, click Create, and then click Form Letters.


  4. Click New Main Document.


  5. Click Get Data, click Open Data Source, select the file that contains your data, and then click Open.


  6. Click Edit Main Document.


  7. Type the salutation. For example, type

    Dear

    Press the SPACEBAR.


  8. Click the Insert Merge Field button on the Mail Merge toolbar, select the merge field that you want to insert, type a comma, and then press ENTER.

    The Office Assistant appears.


  9. Click Get help writing the letter to run the Letter Wizard.


Additional query words: print merge merging replaces replaced removed missing gone disappeared word2000 wd2000 


Keywords          : kbdta wd2000 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: July 15, 1999