How do I add a space in a line if a merge field is blank?

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S Cocke - 10 Feb 2005 22:57 GMT

I'm trying to merge a doc that has names, some with maiden names and some
without. I want the merge to go first(space)maiden(space)last UNLESS there
is no maiden name, in which case I only need ONE space.

Any ideas?

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Doug Robbins - 10 Feb 2005 23:14 GMT

Use and If...Then...Else field that checks to see if the maiden field is
blank and if it is not, enters the maiden followed by a space, otherwise, it
inserts nothing.

{ IF { MERGEFIELD "maiden" } <> "" "{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" } " "" }

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Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - Word MVP

> I'm trying to merge a doc that has names, some with maiden names and some
> without. I want the merge to go first(space)maiden(space)last UNLESS
> there
> is no maiden name, in which case I only need ONE space.
>
> Any ideas?

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S Cocke - 11 Feb 2005 17:31 GMT

Thanks. This may sound dense, but can you give me a step by step?

In the word doc, I have <<firstname>> <<maiden>> <<last>>

So, do I insert the IF...THEN function after I insert <<maiden>> or before?

Also, in the IF...THEN dialog box, where do I put the string that you gave
me? Do I enter If <<maiden>> is blank and then enter the string in the
"insert this text" box?

THANKS,
Shannon

> Use and If...Then...Else field that checks to see if the maiden field is
> blank and if it is not, enters the maiden followed by a space, otherwise, it
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> >
> > Any ideas?

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Doug Robbins - 11 Feb 2005 23:13 GMT

Type

MERGEFIELD "maiden"

then select it and press Ctrl + F9. You should now see

{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" }

Do this again so that you have

{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" }{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" }

Now add the IF, the <> "" " etc. so that you have

IF { MERGEFIELD "maiden" } <> "" "{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" } " ""

Don't forget the space after the second { MERGEFIELD "maiden" } before the
closing quote

Now select all of that and press Ctrl + F9 which should give you

{ IF { MERGEFIELD "maiden" } <> "" "{ MERGEFIELD "maiden" } " "" }

Now press Alt+F9 to toggle off the field codes and then execute your merge.

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> Thanks. This may sound dense, but can you give me a step by step?
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>> >
>> > Any ideas?

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Karen Hart - 11 Feb 2005 00:53 GMT

Karen:
Use the IF statement from the INSERT WORD FIELD menu after your MAIDEN
field:
{IF {MERGEFIELD Maiden} <> "" " " ""}
translates: If maiden is not blank, put a space here. Otherwise, put no
space.
Karen Hart

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