Go to http://www.hentzenwerke.com and order the MS Office Automation with VFP book by Granor and Martin. I did, and it has been a solid reference for me.

You can also create your documents, open them in Word, then use the Record Macro tool. After you record what you are trying to do [e.g., search for a string and replace it with another value], edit the macro. The code is VB, but you can translate it to VFP with a little practice.

There are also numerous threads here on this very topic, and most include VFP code.

>Thanks Mark, I'll keep this in mind. And suggestions to get me started? I'm starting right from scratch. I've done a little automation with Excel but never a mail merge with Word.
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>>>Any input, tips and suggestions on how best to do this very much appreciated. Using VFP6 SP3. I have Word2000 but would prefer generic approach as users may have earlier versions of Word. TIA
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>>You should not have a problem if the only earlier version is Word 97. Otherwise, you could, and probably will, have problems with versions earlier than than. the biggest problem you will have is developing. Unless you have Word 95, you are going to have a next to impossible time assuring yourself the app works.
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>>Set a standard of Word 97 or better and stand firm on not supporting anything earlier than that. AFAIK, there is no generic approach with respect to code working for Word 95 and earlier versus Word 97 and 2000. The object model changed between Word 95 and Word 97.