| One of the great features of Microsoft Word is | | | | for the mail merge process. You can do this by |
| the ability to merge a data file into a form | | | | clicking on the ‘Mailings' tab, then the |
| document. The mail merge is commonly used to | | | | ‘Select Recipients' button. You can then insert |
| create letters, envelopes, directories, mailing labels, | | | | fields from the data source by clicking the |
| and mass e-mail messages, where it is necessary | | | | ‘Insert Merge Field' button, also under the |
| to customize information specific to each recipient. | | | | ‘Mailings' tab. A merge field is like a placeholder |
| The mail merge can be used to make any type | | | | that you insert in the main document. An example |
| of document which merges data fields into a | | | | is demonstrated as followed. Insert the ‘state' |
| common document. | | | | merge field to have Microsoft Word insert a |
| The mail merge process consists of three | | | | country name, like ‘Ohio', which is stored in |
| documents: the main document, the data source, | | | | the state data field. You will then be able to |
| and the merged document. The main document is | | | | choose which fields from your data source file to |
| the form document that contains the text and | | | | insert. It is important to note that the names of |
| graphics which is the same for each version of | | | | the merge fields are taken directly from the |
| the merged document. You can create this on | | | | headers of each column within your data source. |
| your own or use templates included in Word. The | | | | This means that you will benefit from creating |
| data source contains all the information which is to | | | | obvious headers for your data within your data |
| be merged into the main document. This is usually | | | | source. Your last step will then be to click the |
| in the form of a database like a Microsoft Excel | | | | ‘Finish & Merge' button to merge and |
| file. A list of names and addresses that is going to | | | | print or send the results. |
| be used in a mail merge is the most common | | | | Microsoft word makes mail merge process simple |
| example of this type of file. The merged | | | | by providing an optional wizard which guides the |
| document is the final document which is received | | | | user through all the steps. The mail merge toolbar |
| after the mail merged main document is merged | | | | can also be used for more convenience. Point to |
| with the data file. | | | | ‘Toolbars' on the ‘View' tab, and then |
| The process of setting up a mail merge | | | | click ‘Mail Merge' to display the Mail Merge |
| document is made easy with Microsoft Office | | | | toolbar. The Mail Merge Helper can also be used |
| 2007. Simply open a new Word file and create | | | | for more features and convenience. Both the |
| the main document. This document should include | | | | toolbar and the helper have similar features like |
| all the information that will be common in every | | | | the older versions. All the other features are |
| final letter, envelope, label, etc that will be created. | | | | similar too and someone who has used the older |
| Next, connect he data source to the main | | | | versions mail merge process is not likely to |
| document so that information in it can be used | | | | encounter problems with this one. |