WD98: Err Msg: "Fields Are Nested Too Deeply" in Mail Merge

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This article was previously published under Q189016

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SYMPTOMS

When you use a nested IF field in a Word mail merge, you may receive the following error message:

Fields are nested too deeply

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CAUSE

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word. Word supports field nesting only to 20 levels.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use a nested IF field of 20 or fewer levels.

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IF (If...Then...Else...) fields print information only if a condition you've specified is met. For example, you can use an IF field to create a form letter that goes only to clients who live within a particular ZIP Code area.

IF fields perform one of two alternative actions, depending on a condition you specify. For example, the statement "If the weather is sunny, we'll go to the park; if not, we'll go to the movies" specifies a condition that must be met (sunny weather) for a certain action to take place (going to the park). If the condition is not met, an alternative action occurs (going to the movies).

The following is an example of nesting MERGEFIELD fields 20 levels deep:

   {IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD1} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD2} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD3} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD4} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD5} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD6} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD7} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD8} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD9} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD10} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD11} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD12} <> "" {IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD13} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD14} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD15} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD16} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD17} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD18} <> "" "{IF
   {MERGEFIELD FIELD19} <> "" "{IF {MERGEFIELD FIELD20} <> "" "True"
   "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
   "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}"
   "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}" "False"}

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

90393 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/90393/EN-US/ ) WD: How to Use Nested IF Fields in a Print Merge Document

For more information about conditional Word fields, click the Office Assistant, type nesting if fields, click Search, and then click to view "Customize documents created with mail merge."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179216 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/179216/EN-US/ ) OFF98: How to Use the Microsoft Office Installer Program

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Word 98 for Macintosh

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kbfield kbinfo kbmerge kbprb KB189016

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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