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Barry MacDonnell's
Toolbox for WordPerfect

Macros, tips, and templates for Corel® WordPerfect® for Windows®
© Copyright 1996-2008 by Barry MacDonnell. All Rights Reserved.

Page updated June 19, 2008
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Customize the return address on envelopes with graphics and font attributes

Related pages:

How WordPerfect finds a mailing address on your letter

Convert Address to Upper Case

A visitor on a Corel newsgroup asked:

"Is there any way to get the return address on an envelope to print as a logo or formatted text file? In other words, I want the return address to appear as a graphics logo or even as text that has been formatted with different fonts and font attributes."

There are at least two ways to do this.

Method A - use a "QuickWord"

Overview

Create a QuickWord that contains a graphic and other desired formatting, and use that in the return address window of the Format, Envelope dialog box. As long as you have QuickWords set to expand as formatted text (Tools, QuickWords, Options, "Expand as text with formatting"), and have enabled (checked) the box, "Expand QuickWords when you type them," the QuickWord will be expanded -- with logo and custom formatting -- when the envelope is printed or appended to the document.

For more on creating, using, and managing QuickWords, see here.

See Method B below if you use WordPerfect 6 or 7.

HOW TO DO IT in WordPerfect 8 and later versions

  • Create the custom return address at the top of a new, blank document.
    • Add your graphic logo and other formatting, such as your preferred font type and font size, to the return address. Size everything to the required dimensions needed on your envelope. (Print the page to see how it will appear on the envelope.)
    • You can use a table to help align things and add (or remove) cell borders or fills. Just be sure to drag the right edge of the table to the left to create a smaller table width that will fit into the return address area of your envelope.
  • Select the entire return address and any adjacent formatting or other codes, such as table definitions or graphic [Box] codes. It may help to use Reveal Codes to be sure you select all text and any desired formatting codes.
    • Notes:
    • It can be easier to select things in the Reveal Codes window by placing the cursor at the starting point, then hold down the <Shift> key while you move the cursor with an <arrow> key.
    • What you select will become part of the QuickWord in the next step.
    • Don't select any [Paper Sz/Typ] codes. This code is used to define the current page, not the envelope page.
    • Leave the selection "on" (i.e., everything should be highlighted).
  • Next, create the new QuickWord.
    • Click on Tools, QuickWords, and in the "Abbreviated form" field type a QuickWord (e.g., \RA).
      • Note: Using a backslash (\) before the abbreviation's letters -- or any other key that is not likely to be used with letters -- is a good way to tell WP that the characters (e.g., \RA) are to be treated as a QuickWord.
    • Click on Add Entry.
    • Before you close this dialog, be sure to enable "Expand QuickWords when you type them."
    • If you are using a graphic, different fonts, or other formatting in the return address, be sure to click on the Options button while in the QuickCorrect dialog, and check "Expand as text with formatting."
    • Click OK to return to your document.
  • Put the new QuickWord in the return address area of the Envelope dialog.
    • Open the Envelope dialog with Format, Envelope.
    • In the return address field, enter the QuickWord (e.g., \RA, if that's what you named it).
    • Enable the checkbox, "Include return address." (Note that you won't see the QuickWord expand until the envelope prints or is appended to the current document.)
  • Test it: Type a sample address in the Envelope dialog's Mailing Address field (or first load a letter with a properly formatted mailing address already in the letter, then open the Envelope dialog), then click "Append to Document" to run a quick test. You should see the return address appear, fully expanded, in the appended envelope at the bottom of the current document.
  • Tips:
    • The QuickWord will remain in the Return Address field of the Envelope dialog until replaced by another address or QuickWord. (You may want to use several different QuickWords for different return addresses.)
    • It sometimes helps to know the simple "rule" that WordPerfect uses to find the recipient's mailing address on your letters. This can help you set up letterheads properly. See How WordPerfect finds a mailing address on your letter.
    • You can use a macro to convert the address to upper case, stripped of certain punctuation, to conform to the U.S. Postal Service's suggested format. See Convert address to upper case.wcm.

Method B - use a custom envelope template

If you have an earlier version of WordPerfect (or even if you don't), you could create a custom envelope template and have a macro call it each time you need it (and automatically insert the recipient's address, too). See custom envelopes in the Library. (Also see the envelope stamper macro in the Library, which stamps a message on the envelope, such as CERTIFIED MAIL.)