Mail Merge changes page orientation after printing first page

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#1

I want to print serial numbers from a LO Calc spreadsheet onto half-sheet labels (2 labels per 8.5 x 11 sheet). Each label is 5.5" x 8.5".

After not finding a template for my Avery 5126 labels, I am using the LO Avery letter size 5315 (Laser Note Cards) template. It is specified as 5.5" x 8.5" (2 x 1) in LO. That’s exactly what I need (see note below).

I think I have done all the steps correctly. The first sheet is printed correctly. However, all following sheets change orientation (to portrait) and what is printed on the page is scaled differently (consequently I cannot read all the text for the 2nd document on each sheet so it is hard to tell if my database info is printing correctly).

I do not know whether I am making a mistake or I have encountered a bug. I’m relatively new to LO Mail Merge. Very confusing…

I am running LO 5.0.1 on Kubuntu 12.04 and 14.04. I am using HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) version 3.15.9 (which was the most current version about a month ago).

UPDATE: This issue does not happen if I print to file. So a workaround may be to do the Mail Merge and print to a single file, then print that file to the printer. This does indeed work. But I do not feel it is practical. I can only imagine all the problems my employees will have if I recommend this method. The support costs would be tremendous.

print 2 pages on 1 sheet and serial number each page
#2

I have now downgraded my main computer from LO 5 to LO 4.4.x and I am able to successfully do what I was asking about in this question.

#10

Hi

I do not reproduce with current windows version. There existed a bug of this type in earlier versions (see). Could you clarify your environment (system and LibreOffice)?

[EDIT]

I can not test in the same environment as you, sorry…

Do you reproduce the problem with the StyleLost.odt attached (mailing document based on the default Bibliography with different page orientations)?

Regards

#11

I am running LO 5.0.1 on Kubuntu 12.04 and 14.04.

#12

Thanks. Yes, I will test with that attachment. I already downloaded it. Is there a particular way you would like me to set the different page orientations? E.g., in the LO page format dialog? I assume you want me to change the printer settings to match the LO page format settings, right?

#13

My first test with StyleLost.odt was a complete disaster. One problem is that I’m new to Mail Merge so I could be making simple mistakes. I don’t know if I’m the problem or there is a bug. But in my test it printed the first page in landscape and the rest in portrait.( I wish I knew how this document looks when it prints correctly.)

#14

My first test with StyleLost.odt was a complete disaster. One problem is that I’m new to Mail Merge so I could be making simple mistakes. I don’t know if I’m the problem or there is a bug. But in my test it printed the first page in landscape and the rest in portrait.( I wish I knew how this document looks when it prints correctly.)

#15

Sorry, I should have given indications indeed.

The test is simply to open the document and then File Print. Answer Yes to Your document contains address database fields. Do you want to print a form letter, then select Output: File and Save as single document. A new document will be created. 3 pages for each record, portrait, landscape, portrait. If it’s ok, your problem may comes in your creation of your form letter…

#16

Thank you. Using your instructions for StyleLost.odt, the resulting output looks correct: 3 pages for each record, portrait, landscape, portrait. What would I check next to find my problem?

#17

See update in my question.

#18

Thank you for the test. It seems that you have found a bug (which I do not reproduce in my environment). The bug that I mentioned in my answer concerning old versions, I think it would be best that you create a new report. This wiki page may help.

#19

I have now downgraded my main computer from LO 5 to LO 4.4.x and I am able to successfully do what I was asking about in this question.

#3
  1. Try exporting as PDF.
  2. Set your printer using your Operating System printer configuration to Letter Landscape.
#4

Are you suggesting that an entire Mail Merge would be exported to PDF? That seems really strange. Also, what is “Letter Landscape”? It should be landscape, right? Maybe I am misunderstanding your answer. Please clarify. Thank you.

#5

I would reallly prefer not to export as PDF. Is my issue a known problem with LO? Or is there a more direct solution?

#6

Sorry export to PDF does not work with Mail Merge. In the Print Options select “Print to File” - this will create an odt multi page document of all the labels. You can check if the same problem occurs here. If it does not you can then print that document for all the labels. If you get the same problem then it may be due to a printer problem or the LO Template for 5315 being different dimensions.

#7

For the Printer settings I meant set the Page Type to Letter and orientation to Landscape in the Printer settings in your OS before printing. It may be that the printer reverts to Portrait after the first page. If you install cups-pdf from your package manager you will have a new printer which when selected for printing prints to a pdf file instead of paper. You could check if the problem occurs with this.

#8

If you have installed a PDF driver, that might do.

#9

I updated my question. It is not practical to do this in two steps, whether printing to file then printing to printer, or printing to PDF and then printing the PDF. We have to do this Mail Merge multiple times every day. It is done by employees.

#20

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