Re: Updating a mass mail from quattro pro

Not sure what you mean about mass mail.  Is this simply a merge for a 
WordPerfect FRM file with the data from a QPW file?

When you change data in your QPW file, be sure to press the Save button 
before merging.

For WordPerfect merges, the convert dialog will display if the data file 
is not a DAT file.

You can start qp with startup switches to repair QPW's.  I would backup 
the QPW's first though.

Alun wrote:
> Roy,
>>> (An "Update" button would not be appropriate. A Merge
works with the form
>  file and the data in whatever states they exist at the time.
>>>> Yes, but only once, it seems to me. Supposing a data cell in a

>>>> spreadsheet had to be changed before the standard letter
(Google's 
>>>> translation of the German word "Serienbrief") was
sent after a 
>>>> last-minute check? I wouldn't want to send anybody a letter
with 
>>>> incorrect information.

I think here's how the problem starts:  you think you need to run some sort of 
update for subsequent merges, when in fact (as Roy points out) each merge pulls

its data anew.  What you think of as an "update" is nothing more than
a new 
merge using all prior settings.

>>>> Immediately after I press "Data Source" in the
"Merge"dialogue window, so 
>>>> that WP knows where to merge data from. The data source is a
QPW file - 
>>>> so why the conversion indeed?

For reasons explained above, this is the step that's NOT required.  Once you've

told WP where the data source is located (when you created the form initially),

it's not necessary to update that info, unless the location and/or file name of

your data source has indeed changed.

>>> Then I choose Current Form Document. Are you sure?
>>>> Yes. I would have thought it necessary to choose "Current
Form Document" 
>>>> for the output file if I am attempting to update the existing
file.

Although "Current Form Document" is obviously a valid option, you
might find the 
"New Document" output option more suitable, because the resulting
document then 
only contains the generated output, rather than the merge output plus your form

code.

In short, the data source and output settings are saved as part of the form 
file.  Thus, normally the only button you need to click is "Merge".

Prost,
Uli

Alun:
> When I create a new mass mail in WPOX3 from QPWX3 everything works fine.
> 
> But if I update the QPW spreadsheet data and then attempt to update the
mass 
> mail, nothing happens.
> 
> I have to create an entirely new mass mail.


Please spell out the steps you take to
> attempt to update the mass mail
-- 
Good wishes!
Roy Lewis
C_Tech volunteer
(UK)

Hello:

When I create a new mass mail in WPOX3 from QPWX3 everything works fine.

But if I update the QPW spreadsheet data and then attempt to update the mass 
mail, nothing happens.

I have to create an entirely new mass mail.

Any ideas anyone? I would be most grateful !

Alun 

Alun:

The behaviour you describe, and especially the extra time taken, is not as 
expected. So we must look for some unusual choice along the way.

If you can use the same terms that others do, it will smooth our way. We 
can guess what you mean, but you see that Kenneth needed to check:

> Not sure what you mean about mass mail.  Is this simply a merge for a 
> WordPerfect FRM file with the data from a QPW file?


Details matter.
Please check these:

> 3. I then open my mass mail again and - because I cannot see an
"Update" 
> button anywhere - I press merge.

Does "I then open my mass mail again" mean you reOpen your form file?

(An "Update" button would not be appropriate. A Merge works with the
form 
file and the data in whatever states they exist at the time. The Merge 
feature does not know or care whether the form file or the data have 
changed.)

 
> Then WordPerfect gives me a "System is converting" dialogue
window again.

I do not usually see that message. Then again, these days my merges are 
small test items. Please: immediately after which action does this message 
appear?


> Then I choose Current Form Document

Are you sure? (To an extent, whether I am surprised or not depends on your 
answer to the first question above.)

-- 
Good wishes!
Roy Lewis
C_Tech volunteer
(UK)