> If I direct mailing labels to file from PC file what is my approach
 > to applying that file for mail merge of labels suitable to three up 
 > avery labels #5161?
 
Since you're using PC File, I'm assuming you have Word 5.5 for DOS. I used it 
years ago much the same way for short data-merges. It's involved and frought 
with peril the first time but repeats well after that.
Have PC File make the output file "Comma Delimited". This looks like a text 
file with all your data in crude columns. You can view this in Word to see 
what it looks like but don't save it in Word format. Careful to use Save As 
type Text or just don't save it at all. If you edit your data file and save 
with the Word formatting, it will still work. The size of the file will be 
larger and there will be slower access when printing.
 
Each column of each row has similar information as the row below it. 
Spreadsheet style, only not as tidy. For our example, Let's have the third 
column have the last name information in each row.
 
We need to be able to tell Word about these columns. Since it's likely you 
will be making this database using PC File again someday, we'll make a 
_header file_ to provide the translation. Make a file with the only 
information in it being the names of the fields that represent the columns in 
the file that PC File made. If PC File used commas as the separator 
character, then separate your field names with commas. If tab character, then 
use tabs, etc. In our example here, we said the third columns would hold 
lastnames so our header record line might look like:
 fname,mi,lname,street,city,state,zip
Save this short but important document.
 
Now to go to the document that will make the labels. This will be your main 
document. You will be able to make variations of this as form letters, etc to 
use again and again. First line will have the DATA instruction entry.
 Format for this is:
 >
 
You make those chevron characters with CTRL+[ for > Note, 
there's no space following the comma separating the two file names. You can 
include the full-path filenames if they're not located in the same place as 
the main document. I would not recommend having the datafile located on 
floppy disk. It gets accessed heavily and there would be a serious 
performance issue in doing that.
 
I think there's a wizard to help you with the format for the label locations. 
If not, Avery had a helpline to get you past that hurdle. I'll leave you to 
sort that one out.
 
However, to get the data fields from the database via header file into your 
document (labels in this case) use the _field names_ wherever appropriate:
 
   > > >
   >
   >, >   >
 
Cut-n-paste that in the locations on the page.
 
Then ile rint erge and you're set.
 
After you shuffle the margins and stuff to get that to work right .
 
Besto' luck. This was a confusing thing the first time I did it but the 
ability of Word to use attractive fonts in the labels and form letters adds a 
nice touch.
 
Of course, you could do this with the aid of wizards in Word for Win or 
Access. 
 
Charlie
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