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Q176620: WD97: Incorrect Result with Quotation Marks in Conditional Merge

Article: Q176620
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbfield word97 kbmerge
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you use a conditional MERGEFIELD for a result that includes quotation
marks, the result of the field contains a backslash.

For example, if you have the following conditional statement in your mail merge
main document, which uses backslashes to have quotation marks appear in the
result of a true condition for a record

  {IF {MERGEFIELD name} = "Jo Brown" "\"Now is the time...\"" "false
  condition"}

you would expect to receive the result of "Now is the time" on a true statement.
However, Word gives you the following result:

  "Now is the time...\"

NOTE: This problem may also occur with commas or backslashes.

WORKAROUND
==========

Method 1: Use Two Apostrophes
-----------------------------

Instead of using \" (backslash double-quotation mark), use two apostrophes ('')
and remove the backslash.

Method 2: Use the Edit/Replace Command
--------------------------------------

To work around this problem, use a unique character in place of the quotation
mark. After the merge is completed, use the Replace command to search for the
unique character, and replace it with a quotation mark. (Note that the character
you choose must not occur elsewhere in your document.)

Example:

In the merge field, use the pound sign instead of quotation marks.

  {IF {MERGEFIELD name} = "Jo Brown" "#Now is the time...#" "false condition"}

After the merge is completed, follow these steps to replace the pound sign with a
quotation mark:

1. On the Edit menu, click Replace.

2. In the Find what box, type the unique character (the pound sign, in this
  example).

3. In the "Replace with" box, type a quotation mark.

All instances of the unique character (the pound sign, in this example) are
replaced with a quotation mark.

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

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article
in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q197840 WD97: Certain Characters Do Not Display in Field Result

Additional query words: quote mail merge else print condition

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbfield word97 kbmerge 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbprb

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