Formatting Numbers in a Merge Field in Microsoft Word at 12:01 AM

You might already know how powerful the "Mail Merge" function of the Microsoft Word is! 

With only a single "letter" (assuming you are writing a letter), you can print it for a thousand recipients without manually typing all the names, addresses and other unique information. Isn't that awesome?

This article assumes that you are already familiar with, and already using the mail merge.

When performing a mail merge in Word, numbers don’t always automatically display with the correct formatting (currency, decimals, etc.). Here’s how to fix it.

Formatting Prices with a “Numeric Picture Switch”

Numbers don’t always automatically display with the correct formatting (currency, decimals, etc.). To fix that:

1. On your original source document (before completing the merge), right-click on the field and select “Toggle Field Codes.”
2. It will look something like this (where “Price” is your particular field name):
   { MERGEFIELD “Price” }
3. Place your cursor before the closing bracket and type:
   \# $,#.00(There is a space between the first # and the $.)
4. It should now look like:
   { MERGEFIELD “Price” \# $,#.00 }
5. Right-click on the field name once again and select “Toggle Field Codes” to return to the original view. Your prices should now display appropriately.

What do the Symbols Mean?

\# - Begins the “switch” which tells the document to apply formatting to the number.
$ - The character to display at the beginning of the number (in this case, a dollar sign).
, - Indicates that you want commas to designate thousands.
# - The number of number signs (#) typed after the comma indicate the number of digits that should be forced to display.
.00 - Indicates that you want to include a decimal point to two places with each number. Anytime a number to be merged doesn’t include decimals, it will display with zeros.

What can you say about this tip? Let us know! :)

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My UBER Experience - Tried UBER for the First Time! at 9:59 AM

Heard of UBER?

It's a new app developed by a relatively new business (well, at least new in the Philippines perhaps) that caters generally to commuters. It's somewhat similar to GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi, if you know any of them.

The difference is, you will not be riding a public utility vehicle but a private car. Their tagline - "Everyone's private driver".

I there are to many questions running in your mind having read the introduction and let's answer those one-by-one and as many as possible as you are reading this post. Click here, if you want to sign up and try UBER.

How to Use Uber?

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'Want' is Enough: You don't have to 'need' a thing to buy it at 5:41 AM

We have no satisfaction. Contentment is just something cannot be easily satisfied. Despite of the fact that we already have something good, we want something better or something more.

Oftentimes, we buy material things for luxury. Why? Because we want it! But the question is, do we need it? 

I am a kind of person who sticks on my need rather than what I want. Of course there are just some times when I really want a thing and I would definitely put it in my list, so when I got the capacity to buy it, I won't think twice. That's me.

A friend of mine, however, has a different perspective of buying. He buys something he doesn't need, and that is habbitual. He's as practical as I am when it comes to necessities but he's fun of shelling out considerable amount for something he doesn't really need.

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I was Born to Stand Up, Stand Out at 9:41 AM

Disappointment is pretty common in my everyday work life.  It's normal, I am full of hopes, dreams and expectations. I expect, I look forward, and I trust everything is alright.

I've talked to a person I seldom talk to, for some reasons, and asked her why was I not given a turn.  Of all things, "Your rating is low, you have to repeat your FDW." was the response.  Repeat the what...?

Oh, I guess, of all the things, this one's not mine.  I should give it up and give others a turn.

But wait, didn't they all have their fair turn and I should also have mine?

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Quarter Life Crisis at 10:47 AM

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn’t know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or tow, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, may, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren’t’ exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most import ones. What you don’t recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren’t really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

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