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Mail merge field code for Excel to Word

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galerer Posted messages 10 Status Member -  
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Hello,

I’m encountering a problem that I absolutely can’t solve despite my online searches.

I’m doing a mail merge from Excel to Word (v2007).

I have a merge field named Temps_de_trajet_ and my cell is in hh:mm format in Excel, and during the mail merge I’d like to preserve that format.

I’ve tried modifying the field code but nothing works; it never changes the format of my field. If I choose Date it shows the current date. I’ve been going in circles for quite a while, which is why I’m asking for help.

Example: a cell in Excel written 07:00 becomes 0.29166666667.

I also have another problem with cells that are in standard formats in Excel (my cells are text) becoming a "0" at the end of the mail merge; I don’t understand why.

Thanks for your help.

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5 answers

  1. Anonymous user
     
    Hello,

    Redo the merge with the DDE protocol.
    To do this, go to Advanced Options / General section / check "confirm file conversion on opening".

    - Switch your main merge document back to a normal document (Start mail merge / Normal Word document)
    - then merge the Word file again with the Excel base.
    With this option checked, a new dialog box appears and you can choose the DDE protocol.

    Your numbers should be in the correct format.

    Argitxu
    9
    1. crevecoeur
       
      Thank you very much. I had the same problem that ruined my mail merge, forced to redo everything by hand. For months, all of this was caused by a small unchecked box... Your response is clear, precise, effective. And very helpful to me. A similar problem solved for me, thanks to you.
      0
    2. Perron
       
      Huge thanks, Web Contributor!
      0
    3. louprad
       
      It works indeed, but on the other hand we can no longer select the recipients with the "contains" filter.
      0
    4. EricErmecam
       
      I just solved the same problem on Word 2013.

      Thank you very much.
      0
    5. Charlotte
       
      After a big headache, thanks to you, problem solved!
      0
  2. galerer Posted messages 10 Status Member 1
     
    Thank you for this response. But my problem persists. I can't get the DDE protocol option in the dialog box, only "OLE DB Database Files" is displayed as my only option for my Excel file, which is a macro-enabled file, I don't know if that matters.

    I tried the trick by saving my file in a format that Excel does not support macros, but that still doesn't work.

    I have indeed done research on the DDE protocol and it seems to be the right technique.
    1
  3. galerer Posted messages 10 Status Member 1
     
    I managed to find the DDE protocol but the mail merge fields are no longer valid and I’m only being offered AutoField 1, 2, 3, ...

    My data therefore won’t merge.
    0
  4. Anonymous user
     
    Re

    I was in the middle of telling you that you needed to check under Excel / Advanced Options / General at the bottom / the option "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)". It should be unchecked. If it was enabled, restart the merge from the beginning, which should bring up the DDE protocol.

    Now, start from zero again to redo the merge from the start by reinserting the fields.

    --
    Argitxu
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    1. olv1 Posted messages 1 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      Hello! the option is indeed unchecked but nothing works!!!

      The text in my field is the result of a formula: is that why it can’t work? I even did a special copy-paste (values only) but still nothing… need help please!
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  6. galerer Posted messages 10 Status Member 1
     
    Thank you again for all that information.
    My problem is now solved, I didn't believe it anymore!
    0
    1. Anonymous user
       
      Happy for you :-)
      Remember to set it to resolved
      Have a good weekend
      0