DOCUMENT:Q176881 14-NOV-2000 [word97] TITLE :WD97: Err Msg: "Fields Are Nested Too Deeply" in Mail Merge PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:97 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbfield winword word97 kbmerge ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you use a nested IF field in a Word mail merge, the following error message may appear: Fields are nested too deeply NOTE: This error message may also appear when you use an INCLUDETEXT field as part of a mail merge main document to insert (include) a document containing a nested IF field, even when the nested IF field does not contain more than 20 levels. CAUSE ===== This functionality is by design. Word supports field nesting only to 20 levels. NOTE: If you use an INCLUDETEXT field to insert a subdocument (containing nested IF fields) in a mail merge main document, the nested IF fields are nested several levels deeper than you may expect and may result in the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article. WORKAROUND ========== 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 containing the nested IF fields the mail merge main document. MORE INFORMATION ================ IF (If...Then...Else...) fields print information only if a condition you've specified 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 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 an 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 additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q90393 WD: How to Use Nested IF Fields in a Print Merge Document For more information about conditional Word fields, click the Office Assistant, type "nesting if fields," click Search, and then click to view "Customize documents created with mail merge." NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component Additional query words: mailmerge printmerge ====================================================================== Keywords : kbfield winword word97 kbmerge Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:97 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.