Custom Proposals that Use Microsoft Word Merge Templates

Vision Proposals comes with a set of Microsoft Word merge templates for producing custom proposals.

A Microsoft Word merge template is a rich text file (.rtf) that contains merge codes. A merge code specifies the Vision data to be retrieved when you merge the template with Vision records to produce a custom proposal document. Some Custom Proposals merge codes permit you to specify special formatting options.

The merge template also contains formatting information.

To modify a merge template, you export it to Microsoft Word. You can insert merge codes in a template as follows:

  • VisionCustom Proposals come with a set of standard merge codes for each Info Center. Each merge template can use merge codes from a single Info Center. This can include information that is linked to Info Center records.
  • To insert merge codes into a merge template for a custom proposal, use the toolbar buttons provided on the Merge Code Toolbar. This toolbar is available in Microsoft Word after you download the Vision Word Macro utility.
  • If you rename an Info Center field, this does not rename the field's merge code. If your firm renames Info Center fields, Deltek recommends that you keep a spreadsheet or other document for tracking purposes. Use it to track each new field name and its related merge code.
  • SF254 and 255 proposals have non-standard merge codes for the Consultant, Employee, and Project pages of the 255 form and the Project section of the 254 form. Only the Project merge codes can be used in SF254 merge templates.
  • To insert merge codes to modify an SF254, SF255, or SF330 proposal merge template, you enter external codes into the merge template using Microsoft Word. To insert database merge codes in a blank Word document, you use the Merge Code toolbar. Then copy and paste them into the SF254, SF255, or SF330 template.

An alternative to using merge templates created with Word is to use merge templates that you create with Adobe InDesign.

Related Topics:

  • Merge Code Toolbar in Microsoft Word
    Use the Merge Code toolbar in Microsoft Word to add merge codes to a merge template for Vision custom proposals.
  • Merge Code Types
    Vision provides you with a set of standard merge codes for each Info Center. You add these merge codes to merge templates that you create with Microsoft Word.
  • Cost and Fee Proposals
    You can create cost or fee custom proposals that include detailed labor, expense, consultant, and unit information from the Service Estimate tab of the Opportunities Info Center.
  • Procedures
    You can create and modify custom proposals that use Microsoft Word merge templates.
  • Windows Regional Settings
    Use Windows Regional Settings to select number, currency, date, and time formats that are appropriate to your business and your geographic location. The location of this dialog box depends on the version of Microsoft Windows that you use.
  • Screens
    You work with the Custom Proposal Form and a number of dialog boxes to create and modify custom proposals that use Microsoft Word merge templates.
Parent Topic: Custom Proposals Overview