Mail Merge in Word 2007 Part 1: Setting Up a Merge Letter

In the next few posts, we are going to be looking at Microsoft Word’s Mail Merge feature. Mail Merge feature is used when you are sending out the same letter to several different people. Word can automatically insert the name, address and any other fields you designate into your merge letters, giving them a more personalized look. Word has a convenient Mail Merge Wizard that will step you through the entire process of creating a merge document.

Setting up a Mail Merge consists of the following steps:

1. Selecting the Document Type (letters, envelopes, labels, etc.)
2. Selecting the starting document (current document, template, or another document)
3. Selecting the Recipients for your merge document
4. Writing your Letter
5. Previewing your Letters
6. Completing the Merge

In this section, we will first choose the type of document we wish to create, and then select the starting document.

Tip: You can also follow these steps to create an e-mail merge – except choose E-mail Messages from the Select document type step.

To Set Up a Merge Letter

1. Click the Mailings tab on the Ribbon.
2. Click the Start Mail Merge button on the Ribbon and click the Step by Step Mail Merge Wizard.
3. Click the radio button next to Letters from the Select Document Type area.
4. On the bottom of the Mail Merge Task Pane, click Next: Starting Document
5. If you are using the current active document as the merge letter, select Use Current Document.
6. To use a pre-defined merge template:
   a. Click Start from Template
   b. Click Select Template.
   c. Choose the desired template
   d. Click OK.
7. To use an existing document:
   a. Select Start from existing document
   b. Click the Open button
   c. Select the document you wish to use
   d. Click Open.

Similar Posts:

• Mail Merge in Word Part 5: Completing the Merge
• Mail Merge in Word Part 4: Previewing Your Letter
• Mail Merge in Word 2007 Part 3: Writing Your Letter
• Mail Merge in Word 2007 Part 2: Selecting the Data Source
• Creating a Recipient List in Word 2007
• Create a New Template in Excel 2007
• Merge Cells and Center Text in Excel

Tagged as: Microsoft Office Tips, Word Tips