Word 2007 + Mail Merge Faxing

[Bluejay07]

Hello,

A while ago I set up a vba mail merge procedure that either prints, emails or opens the mail merge document.
All seems to work correctly.

I have now been asked to modify it so that it might send out a fax rather than emailing or printing.
In my code, I changed the following lines from

ActiveDocument.MailMerge.MainDocumentType = wdEmail
ActiveDocument.MailMerge.Destination = wdSendToEmail

to

ActiveDocument.MailMerge.MainDocumentType = wdFax
ActiveDocument.MailMerge.Destination = wdSendToFax

When it tried executing the code, I received the following message:

Microsoft Mail Local Fax is not installed on your system.

I have also tried changing the destination to printer in hopes that it might convert to a fax but it printed the document instead.

My computer is connected to an all in one printer.
That printer is connected to a phone line and used as a fax machine.
I also have the IP address of this printer.

While reading some information, it appears that the MailAddressFieldName needs to be the fax number being sent to.
I have that configured as well.

How can I send a mail merge document as a fax and/or how can I send a mail merge document to a specific printer to fax from it?

Thanks,
Cory

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[SkipVought]

Have you added a fax as one of your printer choices?

 

[Bluejay07]

Hi Skip,

Are you referring to VBA code or the printers in Control Panel?
In control panel, if I double click the fax printer, Windows Fax and Scan Utility opens.

I should have also posted that the all in one printer is a network printer (not directly connected to my computer).
I am also using Windows 7.

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[SkipVought]

Can you manually send a fax? What happens if you turn on your macro recorder and record sending a fax? What does that code look like.

 

[Bluejay07]

To send a fax manually, are you suggesting using Word or Windows Fax and Scan or something else.
In word, if I select Office Button|Send and select internet fax, I get the message "This feature is not available on 64 bit operating systems."

If I try to use Windows fax and scan, I am presented with 2 options.
1. Connect to a fax modem (built in or connected to the computer)
2. Connect to a fax server on the network.
All attempt to enter the printer name or ip address have failed.

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[SkipVought]

Well if you can't do it manually, then VBA will probably be a problem.

 

[Bluejay07]

I now have an older fax modem directly connected to my computer.
Using Windows fax and scan utility, I can successfully send a fax from that program.

Retrying my code, I am still getting the Microsoft Mail Local Fax error.

Any suggestions on how I should now proceed?

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[Andrzejek]

Now you may try again Skip's suggestion:
"Can you manually send a fax? What happens if you turn on your macro recorder [in Word] and record sending a fax? What does that code look like. "

Have fun.

---- Andy

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

 

[Bluejay07]

Hi Andy,

I mentioned in a previous post that I can't send a fax through Word.
In word, if I select Office Button|Send and select internet fax, I get the message "This feature is not available on 64 bit operating systems."

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[Andrzejek]

Since you stated: "I now have an older fax modem directly connected to my computer.
Using Windows fax and scan utility, I can successfully send a fax from that program."

That's why I suggested trying the same from Word 'by-hand' (Actually Skip suggested that.) And as stated before: if you cannot send a fax from Word 'by-hand', you will not be able to send fax from Word's VBA :-(

IMO, you need to investigate WHY you cannnot send fax from Word 'by-hand'.
Corrupted driver...?

Have fun.

---- Andy

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

 

[Bluejay07]

Hi Andy,

I don't believe it's a corrupted driver.

It appears that using internet fax from Word 2007 was never intended to be supported on 64 bit systems.
It also appears that Microsoft fixed this issue with Word 2010.

Here is the knowledge base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927383/en-us

This behavior occurs because the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer printer driver is not installed on a computer that is running a 64-bit operating system.

This behavior is by design.
Note: Currently, you cannot install either printer driver on a computer that is running a 64-bit operating system.
Note: 64 bit drivers are supported in Microsoft Office 2010.

Is there another way to fax from Word other than:

"To locate the Internet Fax feature, click the Microsoft Office Button, and then point to Send.

While looking in the references of Word's VB environment, I do see two listings for "Microsoft Fax Service Extended COM Type Library" (fsxcomex.dll, fsxutility.dll).
I'm assuming fsxutility.dll reference would be for Microsoft Fax and Scan Utility (although Google doesn't seem to show any results).

Would either of those help at all?

Cory

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[Andrzejek]

The obvious and easy solution would be to upgrade to Word 2010

The other way I would try is to:
1 Create your Word doc in 2007
2 Save your doc
3 Start Windows fax and scan utility and fax your doc from there (probably by using [tt]Shell[/tt] or [tt]ShellExcecute[/tt] command in 2007 Word’s VBA)


Have fun.

---- Andy

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

 

[Bluejay07]

Hi Andy,

The obvious solution doesn't appear to be the easiest solution.
Apparently the major retailers (Future Shop, Best Buy, Walmart, Staples) no longer sell Office 2010.
Microsoft as well has stopped selling this version (you can't even download the trial version).
Everyone now supports Office 365 or Office 2013.

I was thinking I could maybe access Windows Fax and Scan although since I'm using Word's mail merge feature, I'm not sure if that is the best course of action since we are trying to automate features for various clients.

It looks like more experimenting is still required.

Thanks,
Cory

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!

 

[Bluejay07]

Hello,

I found the following thread that references faxcom type library and faxcontrol type library.

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/F...83f3d21b/vba-code-to-send-a-fax?forum=worddev

I copied the code and I was able to fax the active document from Word.
This seems promising for my needs and avoids directly accessing Windows Fax and Scan.

Cory

If at first you don't succeed, then sky diving wasn't meant for you!