Q176881: WD97: Err Msg: "Fields Are Nested Too Deeply" in Mail Merge

Article: Q176881
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbfield winword 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 nested IF field in a Word mail merge, the following error message
may appear:

  Fields are nested too deeply

NOTE: This error message may also appear when you use an INCLUDETEXT field as
part of a mail merge main document to insert (include) a document containing a
nested IF field, even when the nested IF field does not contain more than 20
levels.

CAUSE
=====

This functionality is by design. Word supports field nesting only to 20 levels.

NOTE: If you use an INCLUDETEXT field to insert a subdocument (containing nested
IF fields) in a mail merge main document, the nested IF fields are nested
several levels deeper than you may expect and may result in the error message
described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, do one of the following: Use a nested IF field of
20 or fewer levels.

  -or-

Do not use an INCLUDETEXT field to include a subdocument in a mail merge main
document. Instead, make the subdocument containing the nested IF fields the mail
merge main document.

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

IF (If...Then...Else...) fields print information only if a condition you've
specified is met. For example, you can use an IF field to create a form letter
that goes only to clients who live within a particular ZIP Code area.

IF fields perform one of two alternative actions, depending on a condition you
specify. For example, the statement "If the weather is sunny, we'll go to the
park; if not, we'll go to the movies" specifies a condition that must be met
(sunny weather) for a certain action to take place (going to the park). If the
condition is not met, an alternative action occurs (going to the movies).

The following is an example of nesting MERGEFIELD fields 20 levels deep:

  {IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD1} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD2} <> ""
  "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD3} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD4} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD5} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD6} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD7} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD8} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD9} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD10} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD11} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD12} <> "" {IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD13} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD14} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD15} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD16} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD17} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD18} <> "" "{IF
  {MERGEFIELD FIELD19} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD20} <> "" "True"
  "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
  "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
  "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q90393 WD: How to Use Nested IF Fields in a Print Merge Document

For more information about conditional Word fields, click the Office Assistant,
type "nesting if fields," click Search, and then click to view "Customize
documents created with mail merge."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the
Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please
see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Additional query words: mailmerge printmerge

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

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