Customizing merge fields

[fantasmamore]

Hello all!

I have a database with a number of fields. I have designed a print layout and I used merged fields. Here's an example:

Title1<<field1>>,

Author: <<field2>>

<<field3>>, is happy with <<field4>>... and so on.

Which is great, I can format the fields as I like, I don't care if a field contains 3 words or 3 paragraphs, because everything is so flexible. But there are times that a field like field2 is empty. Then the output becomes

Jason makes a new friend

Author:

Jason, is happy with his new friend...

Yeah, I know, stupid example, but you see where I am going... If field 2 is blanc, then the print output turns out a bit strange. Is there any way to tell the db that **if <<field2>> is blanc then don't display it**? Could I write something like <<Author: field2>> so that I make everything disappear if the specific field is empty?

And another question.

Can I use a background colour for my merge fields that covers all the width? I want it to be dynamic, so if I have only a couple of words, the background will be one line, but if I have two lines of content, then the background for the specific field will automatically become two lines. Just as the example in the attached image. I don't want to "highlight" the content, I want to use a background...

I am not sure if any of the above is possible. However thank you for reading this and for your help!

[bcooney]

Create your text string in a calc field, rather than use layout text and merge fields.

I don't think you can do the background color easily. Let's see if someone has an idea...

[comment]

I didn't get the background color thing.

[HunterBoss]

Conditional formatting works with Merge Fields.

Right click and select conditional formatting. Add a condition. Make the Condition "Formula is" and just put a 1 in the field to the right of that. Then select your fill color. The fill will be dynamic.

That what you're looking for?

Christopher