[libreoffice-users] Multi-source Mail Merge

Regarding:

"I have multiple spreadsheet files that each represent one unique item.  As
an analogy, think of the spreadsheet as a basket that contains a variety of
eggs (both calculated and hand-entered data). I have multiple baskets each
with multiple eggs.  Each basket (spreadsheet) is associated with one
person.  Each person can have multiple baskets (although that's probably
not relevant).

I also have a letter, with which I want to do a mail merge - against each
spreadsheet.  i.e. each letter needs to draw multiple pieces of data (eggs)
from each spreadsheet, one letter per spreadsheet.

Normally to do a mail merge you have one data source.  The problem of
course is that I don't have one data source, I have an unknown number -
each spreadsheet is a data source.  So I'm at a loss as to how to mail
merge against multiple data sources in an automated fashion."


You don't specify OS; I am using Windows 7 Pro and this may work for you:

Copy cell (or select and copy a range) from spreadsheet

Click on word processor

Click on Edit/Paste Special

Click on DDE link

Click on OK

Any changes to spreadsheet will be reflected in the Word processor

You will have to adjust size and location of pasted data.


You can repeat this procedure for any other spreadsheets - you are not
limited to just one source.

This works well for cells and cell ranges, but not well with an entire
spreadsheet.

For an entire spreadsheet, I tried using Insert/Object/OLE Object/Create
from file/Link to file and then navigating to the desired file.  I then
double clicked on the desired file and then on the OK button.

The spreadsheet is inserted, but I cannot get it to display properly.  If I
right click on the spreadsheet and then on edit the spreadsheet is
displayed, but as soon as I click anywhere in the word processor document
all I see is a black box instead of the spreadsheet data.

BTW, my first reaction to your question is that, depending on the
complexity of the calculations, a database application sounds more suitable
for your needs, but that is probably not a useful recommendation for you at
this point.

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