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When you select Catalog Merge as the merge type in the Mail and Catalog Merge task pane, a catalog merge area (catalog merge area: The area in a catalog merge template into which merge fields are inserted. When a merge is completed, data from a data source populates each field, and the catalog merge area will repeat and display multiple records on each page.) appears on the publication page. The catalog merge area is the rectangular region of the page in a catalog merge template where you insert merge fields (merge field: A placeholder for text or pictures that you insert into your publication. Information from a data source (such as a name, address, or image) is inserted in each merge field. You can format, copy, move, or delete a merge field.) as placeholders for the information in your data source (data source: A file that contains information that can be merged into a publication. For example, a list of names and addresses, or paths to pictures you want to use in a mail or catalog merge. You must connect to a data source to perform a merge.). When you complete the merge, the information from your data source will populate these fields, and the contents of the catalog merge area will repeat in the merged publication pages until all of the records from your data source are displayed.

You can change the way the catalog merge area repeats on the page in your merged publication by resizing or moving this area in your catalog merge template. If you move your mouse pointer over the area, a ToolTip displays the number of times that the catalog merge area will repeat per page.

If you make the catalog merge area larger, you will decrease the number of records that appear per page in your final merged publication pages. If the catalog merge area is large enough, it may only appear once per page. If you make the catalog merge area smaller, you will increase the number of records that appear per page in your merged publication pages.

When resizing the catalog merge area, think about both the amount of information in the records in your data source and the page size of your merged publication pages. Make sure that the catalog merge area is large enough to display this information clearly.