Comments are in-line: On 03/23/2007 11:22 AM, Paul Lepkowski wrote: > I downloaded and installed OOo 2.1 a few days ago. I need to use it > to address 3000 envelopes for a charity. I have 5 questions. > > 1. How do I import addresses from a .dbf file prepared by Microsoft > FoxPro for Windows?
Not sure. My guess is probably fi FP can export to a standard dBASE format. Does FP use standard dBASE formats? Here are the formats that OOo can import & export: <http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Framework/Article/Filter/FilterList_OOo_2_1> > > 2. Do I have to export the .dbf contents to a .csv file to do this? That might be the wisest way to do it so that you don't run into conflicting dbf formats. > > 3. How do I use a special Postnet barcode font to print the Postnet > bar code? I have the font. The manufacturer says it is easy to use > under Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. It seems to appear in the list > of available fonts under Windows. That is a bit more difficult. Not because it can't be done, but because OOo hasn't yet developed a wizard or macro to do this with ease. There was a recent thread regarding just this issue. My response in that thread was: Well... it's not a real pretty solution, nor is it as easy as MS Word, but you can add a POSTNET barcode to an envelope. Page 224 of the OOo userguide shows you how you can add these to your envelopes: http://documentation.openoffice.org/manuals/OOo2.x/user_guide2_draft.pdf Info: http://openoffice.blogs.com/openoffice/2006/05/openoffice_user.html > > 4. How do I create a text box to be used as the post office indicia > graphic which lets us send mail at a discount as a charity? This is a > single line box, about 1 inch square, containing the words "POSTAGE > PAID", "NON-PROFIT", "AUTO", "PERMIT NO. 999999", "BRIDGEPORT, CT" > each on a sperate line within the box. I used the 6 point Universe > for this under WordPerfect. This box will be located in the upper > right corner of the envelope where the stamp would normally go. You should be able to create an envelope template and insert this as a text frame. You could also create a graphic of the above and insert it that way as well. You can use the Insert|Envelope function to create the envelope template, or modify the envelope when you merge the data. If you have the WP file, you should be able to open it and use it as well. > > 5. If I print a return address and logo, taken from a .jpg, in the > upper left corner of the envelope will the logo graphic interfere > with the placement of the postal indicia? No. Not if you move things around. Return address and address are frames, so you can move them to suit your requirements. For instance, if you do Insert|Envelope and practice using that feature, you'll find that you can easily modify the envelope frames, add frames, graphics etc. What I *would* very much recommend is that you (besides reading the OOo docs): 1) take a small sample of the 3000 name database you have, export maybe 10 names to a .csv file, 2) Play around with Insert|Envelope so that you are comfortable with the basics, 3) Do a mail merge from the csv file and test. Setting up the Mail Merge option w/envelopes is as described in the OOo Chapter 11 of the Writer document: http://documentation.openoffice.org/manuals/index.html Yes. You can and should use POSTNET approved barcodes if you can. It makes your postmaster happy. However, I would first print a few out and take over to the local post office and have them test first before I'd go printing out 3000 of them. As an alternate, you can also coordinate with the postoffice to print all of the envelopes for you w/appropriate markings (see the USPS website), then just print the letters, stuff & send. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
