Re: Help with address labels please

[Bob Rasmussen <ras@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004, Norman, Melora wrote:

> Hello.  We have created a text file with patron addresses.  We have
> purchased and installed Print Wizard. We have the laser label stock we want
> to use. Now, can somebody possibly help us print the actual labels to a
> laser printer?  I've searched the archives and web site and can't find a
> how-to.

I have also had some private communication with Melora, but will address
some issues on-list in the interest of general exploration.

The organization is extracting the appropriate information for
name-and-address labels, I believe with "Create Lists". They sent me a
sample of what gets delivered via FTS mail.

First, there may be an issue of layout. Print Wizard (PW) is able to
position the lines of text in any regular label layout. We include sample
"init files" that do this for various label stock. Melora, if you're
having trouble with this, let me know.

Another issue, that has been mentioned on-list before, is the name format.
The data coming from III is in "Last, First" format. They would like it in
"First Last" format. This has proved problematic.

I first set out to use PW's regular expression replacement capability to
rearrange the name, by dividing the line where the comma appeared.
Although I succeeded in doing that, it messed up other things. For
instance, the input
   Rasmussen, Bob
   10240 SW Nimbus, Suite L9
   Portland, OR 97223
would come out
   Bob Rasmussen
   Suite L9 10240 SW Nimbus
   OR 97223 Portland

That is, replacements would take place on every line, not just on the name
line. PW simply has no capability of distinguishing one line of the label
from another.

Furthermore, my associate who has wrangled names before points out that it
is not very reliable to simply switch at the comma. Names don't all work
the same. There could be "Rasmussen Software, Inc." or "Blow, Joe, Jr.",
etc. I suspect, therefore, that it is not a good idea to try to rearrange
names with a simple replacement operation.

Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

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