Fred,
I have a feeling I'm doin (not doing) something really dumb, but I don't know what it is. You said:
"I don't know why you would be getting blank output. Did you try my example EXACTLY as I posted it? (it was a cut and paste from my command window, except for the file/field names)"
The "except for the file/field names" is where I think the problem lies. I've built a "letters shell" that will print one record or all records selected with a "for loop". In fpd26 when I'm running thru the entire table have following code:
select (m.savearea)
m.recno = recno()
scan
\<>
eject page
endscan

When I'm just printing the current record there are no select... or m.recno statements.
In vfp60 I've added the table that has the names & addresses in the Data Environment. That doesn't help either.
I wonder if when you build the form to do the textmerge that it should be built on a special class. I just looked it up and there is a mailmrge.vcx. Should I be using that to build my form?
Sorry to be such a bother. Bill