In order to ensure optimal access and usage of this site, the explanations given below shall introduce you to the various service features available. To facilitate orientation we have grouped the information according to major categories:
“Navigation” provides information on how to access different content areas of the Annual Report,
“Service” introduces service features that are offered beyond mere content,
“Page-specific features” offers information on features which are offered depending on the content of the respective page and are therefore not permanently available.
General
Deutsche Version/English Version
Click on the linked text to switch between the available German or English language versions page by page. The currently active language version is highlighted.
Click on the linked text to switch between the available German or English language versions page by page. The currently active language version is highlighted.
Audited Information 
The term “Audited Information” only applies to those sections in the Annual Report which have been certified by the auditor. You can recognize the audited sections by the icon above the presently displayed information.
The term “Audited Information” only applies to those sections in the Annual Report which have been certified by the auditor. You can recognize the audited sections by the icon above the presently displayed information.
Navigation
Navigating the Annual Report
The navigational tree on the left is the main point of access to the contents of the Annual Report. At the top level of the tree are the most important general subjects. More specific subjects are linked to them in a reader-friendly fashion following the same order as the print version of the report, just move from the top level down to up to five sub-levels. Arrows point to further sub-levels. Further navigation options available are:
The navigational tree on the left is the main point of access to the contents of the Annual Report. At the top level of the tree are the most important general subjects. More specific subjects are linked to them in a reader-friendly fashion following the same order as the print version of the report, just move from the top level down to up to five sub-levels. Arrows point to further sub-levels. Further navigation options available are:
- Full-text search engine displaying search results in the navigational tree
- Links in text passages and HTML tables
- Links referring to related information within this report on the right side
- Links referring to related information outside this report) on the right side
Full-Text Search
This feature enables you to search the whole report for words or phrases. You find "Search this report" up to the right. Each hit is highlighted in the navigational tree. You can browse the search results consecutively by pressing the navigational buttons at the top of each of the pages shown. All the search result links remain intact when navigating through them. In the content area the top 5-pages were ranked to its relevance. After viewing the search results in the original document, you may return to subject navigation by clicking on any of the entries on the navigational tree which are not highlighted.
This feature enables you to search the whole report for words or phrases. You find "Search this report" up to the right. Each hit is highlighted in the navigational tree. You can browse the search results consecutively by pressing the navigational buttons at the top of each of the pages shown. All the search result links remain intact when navigating through them. In the content area the top 5-pages were ranked to its relevance. After viewing the search results in the original document, you may return to subject navigation by clicking on any of the entries on the navigational tree which are not highlighted.
Use of search operators
Using a compound search term by means of logical operators allows a complex search. The following operators can be used:
“and” – Entering of two or more search items separated only by blank space allows search of pages containing all of the sought items.
“or” – Entering the “|” operator allows the search for documents containing one or several of the search items.
“not” – By entering the “-” operator (minus) a certain item can be excluded from the search.
Using a compound search term by means of logical operators allows a complex search. The following operators can be used:
“and” – Entering of two or more search items separated only by blank space allows search of pages containing all of the sought items.
“or” – Entering the “|” operator allows the search for documents containing one or several of the search items.
“not” – By entering the “-” operator (minus) a certain item can be excluded from the search.
Consecutive browsing
Another possibility to read the Annual Report is to browse in succession through its pages by starting from any page. This is facilitated by the buttons (
and 
) on the top right-hand side of any of the Annual Report’s pages which are pointing to the browsing direction.
Another possibility to read the Annual Report is to browse in succession through its pages by starting from any page. This is facilitated by the buttons (
and ) on the top right-hand side of any of the Annual Report’s pages which are pointing to the browsing direction. Sitemap
The sitemap lists all pages and sub-pages that are available in the online Annual Report, displayed according to the site structure.
The sitemap lists all pages and sub-pages that are available in the online Annual Report, displayed according to the site structure.
Header
The blue header on top of the page contains links refering to the Merck's website. By clickin on, you leave the Annual Report.
The blue header on top of the page contains links refering to the Merck's website. By clickin on, you leave the Annual Report.
Service
Downloads 
“Downloads” provides you with all pdf and xls files collected for download, in each case showing number of pages and file size. These documents can be downloaded either as single sections of the report / single table, or they can comprise the entire document, respectively all the tables collected into one singular Excel file. This joint file allows convenient navigation of its content by a cross-linked table of contents preceding the collected tables. The links are taking you directly to the relevant table, from there another link is taking you back to the table of contents.
“Downloads” provides you with all pdf and xls files collected for download, in each case showing number of pages and file size. These documents can be downloaded either as single sections of the report / single table, or they can comprise the entire document, respectively all the tables collected into one singular Excel file. This joint file allows convenient navigation of its content by a cross-linked table of contents preceding the collected tables. The links are taking you directly to the relevant table, from there another link is taking you back to the table of contents.
Mailing Service 
At “Mailing Service” you may order a print version of the Annual Report to be sent to you by mail. To order, please fill in the areas indicated by arrows.
At “Mailing Service” you may order a print version of the Annual Report to be sent to you by mail. To order, please fill in the areas indicated by arrows.
Page-specific Features
Print page 
Click here to print the content of the relevant page; the print preview is displayed in a new browser window. As an option, you may choose to print without - toner-saving - images.
Click here to print the content of the relevant page; the print preview is displayed in a new browser window. As an option, you may choose to print without - toner-saving - images.
Send as email 
Click here to e-mail this page’s URL; the necessary form will open in a new window.
Click here to e-mail this page’s URL; the necessary form will open in a new window.
Download Excel [IMAGE]
The tables on the page may be viewed in xls format in a new window.
The tables on the page may be viewed in xls format in a new window.
Zoom Feature 
With the zoom function you can have selected tables and selected images displayed in their original size within a new window. Use the functions at the root page for printing or saving these tables.
With the zoom function you can have selected tables and selected images displayed in their original size within a new window. Use the functions at the root page for printing or saving these tables.
Top 
This function takes you to the top of page.
This function takes you to the top of page.
