Microsoft KB Archive/186725

= WD97: Leading Spaces and Tabs Removed with Inserted Database =

Article ID: 186725

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q186725





SYMPTOMS
Microsoft Word removes leading spaces and leading tabs from your data records when you insert or merge an external database. In contrast, Word does not remove leading spaces when the data source is created in Word.



CAUSE
By design, Word removes leading spaces and leading tabs from external databases.



WORKAROUND
Use either of the following methods to add the missing spaces to your merge document.

Method 1: Insert Extra Spaces
Insert extra spaces in the main document. These extra spaces should immediately precede the appropriate merge field.

Method 2: Create a Conditional Merge Field
Create a conditional merge field to include spaces. The following merge field example will insert five spaces if {mergefield name} equals John. {If {mergefield name} = "John" "    "} The following merge field will insert five spaces and the result of the {mergefield name} in your document: {If {mergefield name} = "John" "    {mergefield name}"}

Additional query words: merge database datasource data source records leading spaces blank

Keywords: kbmerge kbnofix kbprb KB186725

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