Formatting Word will merging from Excel

[Susan Altemus]

Because merged data from Excel doesn't retain formatting, I need to format my main Word document using "switches", but I have no idea how to do that.

For example I merge 34987.25 and want it displayed as $34,987.25 or a date like 7/7/09 as July 7, 2009.

Any suggestions?

Susie Altemus

 

[Macropod]

To each his/her own. I, too, use Excel extensively, but I've also take the time to master Word (hence the MVP tag). I don't recall anyone ever coming back to me and saying that learning how to use mergefield switches was difficult. In any event, even if you do forget, it's easy enough to go back and see how you solved the problem last time. And surely, knowing how to find the answer is just as valuable as knowing the answer.

 

[Joe4]

I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from mastering Word. If I used it extensively in my work, and I had the time, I would too. Just trying to share my experiences, for people who may be in the same situation that I am (good Excel skills, mediocre Word skills).

Now, if only there was a Word forum as good as the MrExcel forum...

 

[Macropod]

Now, if only there was a Word forum as good as the MrExcel forum...

There are numerous. Unlike Mr Excel, though, they're generally not limited to just one application. For example:
Tek-Tips
VBA Express
Windows Secrets
Tech Support Forum
Office Experts Forum

And then there are the various specialist microsoft-sponsored newsgroups, such as:
microsoft.public.word.docmanagement
microsoft.public.word.drawing.graphics
microsoft.public.word.formatting.longdocs
microsoft.public.word.mailmerge.fields
microsoft.public.word.newusers
microsoft.public.word.pagelayout
microsoft.public.word.programming
microsoft.public.word.tables
microsoft.public.word.vba.general

and others ...

 

[Joe4]

Oh, I have used some of them. Most of the ones I have used don't get quite the traffic we get here, and sometimes it takes quite a while for me to get answers.

Guess I am just a little spoiled being over here!

 

[Domski]

FWIW I used to follow Joe as far as setting everything up formatted as text in my Excel doc, I then got used to using basic switches in mail merge fields and thought that was the way forward but since I discovered using a DDE connection I've not looked back. So much simpler.

Dom