Further query on address labels

[ptoye]

Following on from Bob Hawkins' question, I'm still not sure how to do it!

I set up a label using the wizard. Tried to add a <nextrecord> field, but nothing seemed to go into the label, whose text at the time just said <NAME><Line1><Line2> etc. However, when I clicked the "Data to Fields" icon, the labels filled up.

But I have 4 problems:

1) I only have one page. How do I get the next page of labels please? There should be about 6.

2) Only every other record is being selected. It's possible that I added a "next record" field twice, but as I can't see it I don't know which bit to try to delete.

3) Some of the data is incorrect - it comes from other rows in the same database query. What's happening here?

4) As far as I can see, not all of the fields are being correctly included (but see question below)

And a question:

Is there any way of getting back from the filled-in data to the label form with the fields? I can't even start diagnosing what the problems are without this. Or changing the label contents.
_________________
Peter

[thomasjk]

First of all if you are using the label wizard the Next Record filed is automatically added. I recommend this excellent article for help http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/mail_merge_openoffice_org .
Data to fields is not reversible and only gives one page. Set up your document first and save it as a template before doing any thing else.
Turn on View--->Field Names and you will probably see an extra Next Record field. Delete this field Turn Off View-->Field Names and click synchronize.
Click Print and answer yes to the form letter prompt. You will then be able to select all or some of your records. You can also Print to a file at this point and save the output as a Writer document.

[ptoye]

This has answered some of my queries, and the article is bound to be useful.

It also points out that there's no way of going back from the filled-in data to the template. Which isn't much use, really. OO developers take note (assuming that they read this sort of wibble).

One question, though. You say "save it as a template". Is that as an OO Template, or were you using the word "template" generically?
_________________
Peter

[thomasjk]

Yes an OOo template. Then you can reload the template as needed.

[ptoye]

Hmmmm..... a bit odd, this.

I did as you suggested without saving a template, and it actually worked OK, so I can do my Xmas cards this years at least.

But then I started again, and saved the label form (with the fields) as a .ott template. Opened a new document with it, opened the data source, selected the records, clicked on the "data to fields" and nothing happens. Tried again - same thing. So there's something wrong with the template and I've no idea how to cure it. Is OO label and form handling irretrievably broken or am I being extremely stupid?
_________________
Peter

[ptoye]

[thomasjk]

Turn off View--->Field Names. CTRL-F9.

[ptoye]

OIC

Thanks again!
_________________
Peter