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If you are using more than one inserted field per line, or have an inserted field with text following on the same line, you may need to insert "padded" fields to insure column alignment. A "padded" field is a field in which spaces are added to the end of that field to reach a specified length. This can be VERY helpful when you are creating one or two line "Reports" (ONELINE.LTR is a good example), and want your columns to line up.

To pad a string to a given length for creating aligned columns in mail merge documents, insert the following:

{LEFT(LTRIM(X) + SPACE(n),n)+chr(255)}

Where "X" is the mail merge field name and "n" is the length you want to pad the field to. (note: chr(255) will insert one blank space when your letter prints).

Example:

You want the SITE_ADD field to always be 30 characters long, you would enter:

{LEFT(LTRIM(SITE_ADD) + SPACE(29),29)+chr(255)}

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. "X" can NOT be Numeric !!! If you need to pad a numeric merge field, substitute STR(number,7,2) for "x" above, where "number" is the value you wish to pad. If you are not sure if a field is numeric, see your manual, appendix "Farm File Layout". All numeric fields will have a "N" displayed under the "Type" column.
2. The right margin Must be set to a larger than normal amount in order to accommodate the padding expressions. Really complex expressions may be up to 150 characters or more in length.