Mail merge is used to create multiple documents at once. These documents have identical layout, formatting, text, and graphics. Only specific sections of each document varies and is personalized. The documents Word can create with mail merge include bulk labels, letters, envelopes, and emails. There are three documents involved in the mail merge process:

  • Your main document

  • Your data source

  • Your merged document




Step 1: Prepare data in Excel for mail merge

The most important step in the mail merge process is to set up and prepare your data. You'll use your Excel spreadsheet as the data source for the recipient list.

Here are some tips to prepare your data for a mail merge. Make sure:

  • Column names in your spreadsheet match the field names you want to insert in your mail merge. For example, to address readers by their first name in your document, you'll need separate columns for first and last names.

  • All data to be merged is present in the first sheet of your spreadsheet.

  • Data entries with percentages, currencies, and postal codes are correctly formatted in the spreadsheet so that Word can properly read their values.

  • The Excel spreadsheet to be used in the mail merge is stored on your local machine.

  • Changes or additions to your spreadsheet are completed before it's connected to your mail merge document in Word.

Notes: 

  • You can import information from your Excel spreadsheet by importing information from a comma-separated value (.csv) or a text (.txt) file and use the Text Import Wizard to build a new spreadsheet.

  • For more information, see Prepare your Excel data source for mail merge in Word.

Step 2: Start the mail merge

  1. In Word, choose File > New > Blank document.

  2. On the Mailings tab, in the Start Mail merge group, choose Start Mail Merge, and then choose the kind of merge you want to run.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Start Mail Merge command and the list of available options for the type of merge you want to run.

  3. Choose Select Recipients > Use an Existing List.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Select Recipients command with the Use an Existing List option selected.

  4. Browse to your Excel spreadsheet, and then choose Open.

  5. If Word prompts you, choose Sheet1$ > OK.


    Note: Now the Excel spreadsheet is connected to the mail merge document you’re creating in Word.



Edit your mailing list

You can limit who receives your mail.

  1. Choose Edit Recipient List.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Edit Recipient List command as highlighted.

  2. In the Mail Merge Recipients dialog box, clear the check box next to the name of any person who you don't want to receive your mailing.

    Select rows by checking the check box


    Note: You also can sort or filter the list to make it easier to find names and addresses. For more information about sorting and filtering items, see Sort and filter the data for a mail merge.


Step 3: Insert a merge field

You can insert one or more mail merge fields that pull the information from your spreadsheet into your document.

To insert an address block for an envelope, a label, an email message, or a letter

  1. On the Mailings tab, in the Write & Insert Fields group, choose Address Block.

    Insert Address Block merge field

  2. In the Insert Address Block dialog box, choose a format for the recipient's name as it will appear on the envelope.

    Address block options

  3. Choose OK.

  4. Choose File > Save.

To insert a greeting line in an email message or a letter

  1. On the Mailings tab, in the Write & Insert Fields group, choose Greeting Line.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Greeting Line command as highlighted.

  2. In the Insert Greeting Line dialog box, do the following:

    • Under Greeting line format, change the salutation if necessary by choosing the greeting (Dear is the default), the format for the recipient name, and the ending punctuation (a comma is the default).

      and

    • Under Greeting line for invalid recipient names, choose an option in the salutation list.

  3. Choose OK.

  4. Choose File > Save.

To insert data from your spreadsheet in an email message or a letter

  1. On the Mailings tab, in the Write & Insert Fields group, choose Insert Merge Field.

  2. In the Insert Merge Field dialog box, under Fields, choose a field name (column name in your spreadsheet), and then choose Insert.

  3. Repeat step 2 as needed, and choose Close when done.

  4. Choose File > Save.

For more information about adding fields from your spreadsheet to the merge document, see Insert mail merge fields. And if you're interested in learning more about options for setting up email message, see Email merge in Word.

Step 4: Preview and finish the mail merge

After you insert the merge fields you want, preview the results to confirm that the content is okay. and then you're ready to complete the merge process.

  1. On the Mailings tab, choose Preview Results.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Preview Results group.

    1. Choose the Next Next record button for mail merge preview results or Previous Previous record button for mail merge preview results record button to move through records in your data source and view how the records will appear in the document.

  2. In the Finish group, choose Finish & Merge, and choose Print Documents or Send E-mail Messages.

    Screenshot of the Mailings tab in Word, showing the Finish & Merge command and its options.

Step 5: Save your mail merge

When you save the mail merge document, it stays connected to your data source. You can reuse the mail merge document for your next bulk mailing.

  • Open the mail merge document and choose Yes when Word prompts you to keep the connection.