How to Set Width of Embedded Memos in Text Merge Output

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, and 2.6
• Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, and 2.6

SUMMARY

A useful feature of the TEXTMERGE command is the ability to output a form letter containing text merge delimited fields that have been stored in the memo field of a database. Unfortunately, the SET MEMOWIDTH TO command is ignored for any memo fields that are embedded in the form letter.

To work around this behavior, use the following user-defined function (UDF), which allows the memo text to appear at the desired location and wrap at the column specified by SET MEMOWIDTH TO.

MORE INFORMATION

Assuming a desired width of 35 for the memo field (starting at the 20th column), you can create the UDF as follows:

1. In the Command window, type:

         MODIFY COMMAND limit
   

   NOTE: You can replace the UDF name "Limit" with another name, of 8 characters or less, conforming to the MS-DOS file-naming conventions.

2. In the LIMIT.PRG edit window, type the following lines:

         SET MEMOWIDTH TO 35
         ?? Comments AT 20
         RETURN ""