Mail Merge problem when converting to PDF

[roflzor]

Hi there,

I have a problem when converting to PDF.

I have a mail merge template set up with fields like <<Insured Name>> etc. This template pulls data from my access databse and then we save as a separate document from the template with the data filled in.

The problem is when I reopen the file (and choose no when i asks to pull the information from the databse), and try to save as a PDF. Once saved, the template will have the correct file information in the body ofthe document but my fieds in the header will switch back to the control view i.e. with chevrons around them.

So for example we will open a template, move to a record for 'Smith' for example. The fields will update and we will save as such and all will be fine. We'll reopen later to make changes and will cut ties with the database because recordswill have changed. All is fine and displaying correctly at his point. But as soon as we save as a PDF (using various methods to test), the fields in the header will have savd as <<Insured name>> for example.

Any advice on this? Are headers not deignd to hold dynamic information? Is thee a reason it will revert when saved as PDF?

Thanks so much.

[VMToombs]

I am having the same problem in Word 2007. Did this get solved?

[macropod]

If you want to generate a file with the actual mailmerge results, you have to execute the mailmerge. Saving a preview of the merge to PDF doesn't do that.

[VMToombs]

Thanks,
We will try to save the document and not just a preview of the mail merge.

Thanks again for the quick response.

[macropod]

When you execute the mailmerge, Word gives you the option of merging to the printer or to a new document. If you have an app like Adobe Acrobat Pro installed, you can use its 'printer' driver and merge to the 'printer' to generate a PDF; otherwise, you'll need to merge to a new document, which you can then save as a PDF.

[Linda]

I have already saved over 606 documents as previews. Is there an easy way to fix this so I can convert to pdf without losing the head information?

[macropod]

hi Linda,

In a word, no.

PS: I've been OS for 3½ months, hence the delay in replying.

[Linda]

I found a way to fix all the documents made with the preview version of mail merge. I created a macro to go into each document and copy and replace each header. After that, creating the pdf works!