I would like a one-click method for users to go from a group of found
records in filemaker to a completed mail merge in Word (using data
from found records). It has to be Word, not a pdf.

I've been successful in scripting this using an export to excel
intermediate step, but this is not optimal for the users in our
office. I really need this to be a one button step for the users.

Two approaches I'm considering (but open to suggestions):
1. Export to an XSLT for the Word document. Problem is that I don't
know anything about XML. There are translators out there that I could
possibly use thought (chapparal software makes a translator of some
type, any experience with this software appreciated).

2. Share filemaker as ODBC for Word to use as a data source. I don't
know whether this will be a one-click solution though - waiting for
driver to be installed on my computer.

Am I on the right track with either of these approaches?

I'm a newbie to FMP and all other acronyms above. Also, I don't know
visual basic. Simple explanations greatly appreciated.

Running Windows XP and Word 2003. FMP 8.5

Thanks in advance for your help.

LD

In article <1170121390.866364.229170 (AT) l53g2000cwa (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
bethesdananny (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:


Does it really have to be in Word??

It would be MUCH easier to simply print the "mail merge" directly from
FileMaker itself. Just set-up a layout with whatever document text,
logos, etc. that are needed and then add the data fields as either
normal field or Merge Fields (depending on how they're being used).
After this has been set-up once, the process is easy to perform from a
one-click button.

I've only ever done a Word Mail Merge once, directly connected to the
FileMaker database. It was quite painless on the Mac, but I don't know
how easy it is as an on-going process - I'm not sure if the data source
is saved with the document, etc.

Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

On 2007-01-30 04:11:11 +0100, Helpful Harry
<helpful_harry (AT) nom (DOT) de.plume.com> said:

Maybe you could use xml.
Take a look on this page and try the "FileMaker to Word 2003 xml".
http://www.filemaker.com/products/te...t_library.html
I dont have word 2003 so it didnt work great for me....
but after a little search on internet I found this:
http://www.chapsoft.com/ezxslt/
This could be your solution..
Best regards
Nicolay