Text and Container Fields

[Computer Geek]

Does anyone know if it is possible to combine a text field *and* a container field formula into a single field via a calculation?

[Fenton]

I thought I'd posted about this. Apparently not. Or a rift in the time-space continuum. I'll have to say the same thing again, or at least once. A calculation can only have one kind of result, so that's out.

You could put them both on a fixed margin layout, then go into Preview mode, Copy and Paste into another container field. It would require a script.

[Computer Geek]

Fenton, I apologize if I missed your post somewhere. Before I posted, I searched in this forum, the FM 7 forum and the custom function forum and I didn't find anything, but as you know, the number of posts are huge.

I've been trying to find a way to do this for a while, with no luck. I have a program that assembles letters with merge fields. It works great, and the field subsitute from Enders in the custom functions forums is great for it. The problem is the signature. All the letters have different signatures *and* different bodies. Therefore, the place for the signatures and the size of the signature is different for each letter. It would be great if there was a way to dynamically put the signature in the correct place in the letter. However, I have been unsuccessful in finding a way to do it. So as a result, I have a layout-per-letter.

It appears that in 7.0, you can make the result of a calculation a container. When I try it, it puts the text in correctly, but a ? for the signature. It would be great if someone had a way or even a work aound to make it happen dynamically.

[Fenton]

Is it because Container fields don't shrink? And that the signatures therefore end up not in the right place?

It would help if the graphics were aligned Top and Left, so at least they'd be in the right place. If so they should slide into place. Are they not sliding?

[Computer Geek]

Fenton, Not exactly. The basic structure of the letter is:

Name/label

Dear somebody,

Body of message.

Sincerely,

Signature goes here

Title of person sending letter.

Since the body of the message varies from letter to letter, the placement of the signature needs to vary too. For example, if letter number 1 is 3 paragraphs and letter number 2 is 1 paragraph, it would look funny to have the signature for letter number 2 in the same place as letter number 1.

I can't seem to come up with a calculation that places the signature (jpg) from the container field where it is supposed to be. All calculations result in a ? where the signature would be placed. It doesn't matter how big the resulting field is. It never combines the text and container field into one result.

[Fenton]

What you say above gives me the idea that you haven't used Sliding (bottom of Format menu). It's a bit of a black art; there are rules, but sometimes it's hard to see exactly why something won't slide; generally because there is either non-sliding space, an invisible (white) object, or incorrect alignment (prefers top-left).

There is an option to "reduce size of enclosing part", which shrinks things up, when you want the entire body to shrink (list views, etc.).

The problem of varying lengths of text is not a problem for sliding. Text BELOW a graphic is only going to slide to the bottom of the graphic; excess white space inside the container field will still be there. So getting the Title just so may be problematic. But it should end up pretty close (if too close, then either heighten the text box, or add an invisible white object; but don't forget about it).

Anything in between 2 sliding objects must also slide, or neither will. Something like that. It always works, eventually.

[Computer Geek]

Fenton, thanks for the detailed suggestion. I'll give it a try and post back.

[Computer Geek]

Fenton -- You're great!!! Thanks for the help!

[majid]

Dear Computer Geek,

Could you please let me know how did you solve the problem eventually?

I have the same problem for my mail merges.

Thanks