report design or access word interface?

[mac5]

I have an access database linked to a Microsoft Word file. It was pretty easy to insert the database fields I needed into the word document. I use mail merge to generate a letter for one record in the database. The user enters data in access on a form. They then have to open the word document, start mail merge, and do a query to match the record they just entered.

I'd like to make it easier for the user. I thought I could replace the MS word documents with access reports. I tried to cut and paste the word document onto a report in design view. It seems like it will be very difficult to cut and paste the necessary data fields into the text.

I also wouldn't mind still using MS Word if I could make generating the letter an easier process for the user.

I'm hoping there are better ways to approach this problem then what I've come up with.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[jebry]

Hi Bill!

The query that you are currently using to mail merge can be turned into a make table query. Then, using a button click on the form you can delete the mail merge table and remake it using the query. You can set up the Word document to merge using that table so that when you open the document from Access and run the mail merge the correct information will be in the table. Alternatively you can use delete and append queries to change data in the table(I'm not sure which would be faster). Also, you can set up an autoexec macro in the Word document to run the mail merge when the document is opened, so all you will need to do in Access is open the Word document.

hth
Jeff Bridgham
bridgham@purdue.edu