If you are experiencing error messages when attempting to use the Document Merge feature, such as: “Merge Function NOT available, Contact your Administrator”, you may need to install OpenXML SDK onto your SharePoint server as an Administrative user. Follow the instructions below:
- Open a browser and go to:
Note: if this link is not valid due to a change in the URL, perform a Google search for “OpenXML SDK” and the new location should be one of the top results – note the “microsoft.com” address in the URL
- On the page you will see two downloadable packages – select the second (non-Tool) one:
The standard Microsoft installer will open, prompting you through the rest of the way.
- After completing the installation, open a command prompt and type “iisreset” (and enter). This is needed so that .NET will reinitialize and pick up the new libraries.
Note: If you’re using a Sharepoint farm that contains multiple servers, this should be installed on each server.
Document Merge not working for certain Lists
When you add a mergefield code, Microsoft Word adds a piece of XML to the file that contains the column name you specified.
When the file is edited, even if you don’t edit the mergefield at all, sometimes Word will re-save the file but mangle the XML:
For example:
<r “ MERGEFIELD “ Full Name />
After saving Word might save it as:
<r “ MERGEFIELD “
Full Name />
That line break makes all the difference! At this point, it is not something that is recognized as a single merge field, but possibly two merge fields, or a blank merge field with some added text that is ignored, etc.
If a mergefield stops working, the template file will need to be modified, and the mergefield removed and re-added. As well, the template file could be made read-only, so that people don’t edit it and re-upload.