Merge an Optional Initial

Microsoft Word 2003 has a feature that lets you tack on text to a merge field. This feature is important for handling middle initials. Tack on a period and a space to a merge field for Middle Initial. Then, if a name has a middle initial, the period and space will be inserted right after it. If a name does not have a middle initial, nothing will be inserted. Using this technique, it is important to put a space between the First Name merge field and the Middle Initial, but no space between the  Middle Initial merge field and the Last Name merge field.

To insert merge fields for a name:
1. Add the First Name field
2. Put a space after it
3. Add the Middle Initial field
4. Add the Last Name field immediately after the Middle Initial field
5. Right-click on the Middle Initial field
6. Click: Edit Field...
7. Check the box: Text to be inserted after:
8. Type a period and a normal space in field
9. Click OK

Notice the vertical line just after the period and space. That is the text cursor. It would be flashing in MS Word. It shows there is a space after the period.

Here is a downloadable file with merge fields for First Name, Middle Initial and Last Name:
MS Word Merge Template
This file is in a format that should be usable in MS Word 97 through MS Word 2003.