hyperlink in merge field not active

[raineymouse]

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone can help?

I have a database containing booking details, training location details, etc for courses which my Company runs.
The database front end uses Word .dot files to create merge letters confirming delegate booking details. These letters are then emailed to the delegates.

I am trying to insert a hyperlink to the training location's website. This hyperlink is contained within a field in the database. I insert the merge field by going to Insert\Field, selecting MERGEFIELD and typing the field name COURSE_URL.
The correct url IS placed into the document, HOWEVER, the hyperlink does not become active unless I hit return after the hyperlink.
This tends to be a little annoying when you have to do it each time for 70 bookings!

I have tested this with both Word 2000 and Word 2003. The database is just a bog standard SQL database.

I am sure there must be a way around this.

Any ideas?

 

[macropod]

Hi raineymouse,

In order to activate the hyperlinks, you could put the MERGEFIELD inside a HYPERLINK field. For example, if you select the existing MERGEFIELD and press Shift-F9, you'll see something like:
{MERGEFIELD Course_Url}
Now press Ctrl-F9, and you'll get:
{ { MERGEFIELD Course_Url } }
Simply type 'HYPERLINK' between the first two field braces, so that you get:
{ HYPERLINK { MERGEFIELD Course_Url } }
Then press F9 to update the field. Now run your mailmerge and you should get the correct result.

Cheers

 

[raineymouse]

Hi there macropod

Thanks very much for the assistance. Some progress... What happens now is that I get an active hyperlink but instead of placing the url in the document, it tries to hyperlink to the location of the database on the server - Aghhhh!

Any further advice would be welcome but I am begining to think I am asking the impossible!

Thanks

Raineymouse

 

[macropod]

Hi raineymouse,

That sounds like your MERGEFIELD is returning the db server's address. What do you see if you select the merged hyperlink and press Shift-F9?

Cheers