Revised and improved! eQuery is now a standalone application!
What is eQuery?
The eQuery package is an application (eQuery 2.0) and an AppleScript (Execute eQuery 2.0). The two in tandem create data merge source files, based on the contacts in your Microsoft Entourage Addresss Book, for use with Microsoft Word's Data Merge Manager.
eQuery requires Microsoft Entourage and Microsoft Word 2001 (for data merges).
eQuery 2.0 is compatible with Mac OS 8.6-9.x.
eQuery is Made With REALbasic.
Why use eQuery?
Word's Data Merge Manager is a powerful tool, but if you use your Address Book as a data source, you cannot use any of the "query options" to sort or screen data. By using a separate data merge source file, you can utilize the extensive query options to manipulate your data. There are also some key merge fields that are not used by the Data Merge Manager when the Address Book is used as a data source.
Other, "one step", packages may allow you to perform simple merges from within Entourage, but you are limited to the merge fields and document formats specified by those scripts. By creating your own data merge source file, and a Word merge document that uses that file, you can be sure you have the precise merge fields you need, and arrange the document the way you want it.
Since the data merge source files created by Execute eQuery are standard, tab-delimited text files, you can also import these files into Microsoft Excel (where you can further manipulate the data with the List Manager), or into Microsoft Word to be used as a data base.
eQuery is ShareWare
eQuery is ShareWare ($10, US). If you use eQuery, you are expected to pay the ShareWare fee, through kagi.com's secure server (select "Register eQuery" on the "Web" menu in the eQuery 2.0 application).
The eQuery 2.0 package is a free upgrade for registered users of eQuery v1.x.
Why register eQuery?
eQuery does not "nag" or remind you to register, nor is its functionality limited in any way until you do register. So, why should you register eQuery?
Registered users gain these benefits:
Registration can be done by selecting "Register eQuery" from the "Web" menu within eQuery (make sure you are connected to the Internet), or by clicking here.
Download eQuery now!
If you'd like to know a bit more about eQuery before deciding, you can download the eQuery Docs. The file is a SimpleText read-only document.
If eQuery is more than you need for your day-to-day mail merges, you may want to check out the suite of AppleScripts (Office for Office) that Paul Berkowitz has developed. Paul's scripts allow you to select contacts or groups in Entourage, and print envelopes, form letters or labels in Word. The "Office for Office" scripts are free, and are available from AppleScript Central.
Questions? Comments? Please email me <gaclark@kagi.com>