Mail merging creates multiple copies of the same document and inserts data from an external file or database. For example, printing a form letter for different recipients and including each recipient's name.
Word mail merge

FAQ about the mail merge feature in Word 2003 and in Word 2007 will help you learn how to use Mail Merge to create form letters, mailing labels, envelopes, or catalogs. It can also help you troubleshoot problems; and provides step-by-step instructions.

The Word MVP site has some more suggestions.

About.com:
Mail Merge
Creating Documents With Mail Merge

Cindy Meister:
Mail Merge FAQ



See all Topics
word

Labels: Merge

Demos

As part of their series of demos, Microsoft has information on creating mailing labels from a database, or mailing list.

Create labels with mail merge

Here is another entry concerning some of the fine points.

More label info

Also, if you place a graphic in the first cell, it will be duplicated in each box.



See all Topics
word

Labels: Merge

Custom content

• The curly brackets { } cannot be entered from the key board. Either use Insert>Field, or Ctrl+F9.
  
• Word uses spaces in the If..Then..Else statement.
  
• The last two quote marks "" are "empty" , so nothing will be entered.
  
• Notice the \\ in the path statement. A path is not needed if the Main document is in the same folder as the letters.
  
• To see the field codes, use Alt+F9 to toggle the view on and off.

Letters 1 and 2 can have completely different texts, formats and layouts. One can be an invitation to a sale, the other can be a dunning letter.
(To carry over different formatting, leave out the \* MERGEFORMAT switch)

After setting up the main document for mail merging, insert all of the fields you want to merge.

Copy the individual fields and paste them in the correct locations in Letter 1 and 2.

Go back to the main document and erase all of the text and fields EXCEPT for the IF statements.

Letters 1 and 2 do not have to be set up a merge docs, or connected to a data source. Their text will be inserted in the Main document depending on the field type.

Labels: Documents, Fields, Merge, Tutorials