Nisus Writer Pro - Manual (Page 373)

Polishing & Managing Documents 353
About Merging Documents
Merged documents result from combining information from a host or template document with
information from a data document. The host document works like a template and can contain any
kind of content just as any other Nisus Writer Pro document. The data document provides the detail
that makes each merged document different. Its contents replace the “merge placeholders” in the
host document. You combine one host document and one data document to generate many merged
documents.
Merging Documents
Here are some guidelines for merging documents:
• Use the same merge placeholder names in both the host/template and the data documents.
• Put the host and data documents in the same folder.
While this is not a requirement for merging the information it makes finding the appropriate
data easier.
• Make sure the host document is top window before you start the merge.
The procedures that follow explain how to merge a host document (a form letter) with a data
document (a list of people who should receive the letter).
Creating a host document
The host document contains merge placeholders that are replaced with information from the data
document.
Prepare the template document
It is often best to create a specific letter or document, and then convert it into a form letter
afterward. For instance, you might want to send a letter like this:
Figure 387
A standard business letter
But you have several associates with whom you want to share this information. This is a perfect
situation for doing a merge. Start with your letter to Reuben Simons, and alter it.
1. Choose commands of the menu Insert > Merge Placeholder to look something like this: