KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q90010: WD97: Use of ASK and FILLIN Fields and \o Switch

Article: Q90010
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): winword word97 kbmerge
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUMMARY
=======

This article discusses the following issues regarding the use of ASK and FILLIN
fields in a Microsoft Word mail merge operation:

- Using the \o switch to cause Word to prompt you only once for input.

- Choosing the Cancel button or pressing ESC when prompted for ASK or FILLIN
  input.

MORE INFORMATION
================

ASK Field
---------

The ASK field prompts you to type text, which it assigns to a bookmark name.
During a mail merge, the ASK field prompts you for input before printing each
merged document, which allows you to customize each merged document. The ASK
field itself has no result; the result is assigned to the bookmark. You must
insert a separate field to reference the bookmarked information you typed in
response to the ASK prompt. Example:

  {ASK BookmarkName "Message Text"}{REF BookmarkName}

In this example, the ASK field prompts you for input, which it assigns to the
bookmark named BookmarkName. The REF field inserts the input in your merged
document.

FILLIN Field
------------

The FILLIN field prompts you for text that is used as the FILLIN field result.
During a mail merge, the FILLIN field prompts you for input before printing each
merged document, which allows you to customize each merged document.

Using the \o Switch
-------------------

When you add the \o switch to a Microsoft Word FILLIN or ASK field, Microsoft
Word prompts for input only once, before printing the first document during a
mail merge, rather than once for each mail merge document. Microsoft Word uses
the same information in each merged document. Examples:

  {FILLIN "Batch Number" \o}
  {ASK BookmarkName "Message Text" \o}{REF BookmarkName}

What Happens When You Choose the Cancel Button or Press ESC?
------------------------------------------------------------

If you previously typed something in the ASK or FILLIN field dialog box, that
text remains in the dialog box for the next prompt. If you choose the Cancel
button to skip an ASK field, Word uses the previously- typed text as the current
value of the ASK field bookmark.

Canceling an ASK or FILLIN field dialog box only cancels the prompt for input; it
does not delete the previously-typed input. If you don't want any value assigned
to a FILLIN field or to an ASK field bookmark, you must press the DEL key to
delete the previously-typed text, and then choose the OK button.

Additional query words: pmh missing appear data

======================================================================
Keywords          : winword word97 kbmerge 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbhowto

=============================================================================

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.