Microsoft Word 2003

Mail Merge: Using an Excel Database for Mail Merge

In addition to the features and functions of Excel that make your database useful, you can also use the database to merge information into Word for large mailings. This means that you will not have to duplicate information you already have in your Excel database to perform a mail merge.

NOTE: These instructions assume that you have an understanding of the Word Mail Merge process. If you need more information, refer to Mail Merge Wizard: An Overview.

Important: Before You Start

The field names of your Excel database must begin in the upper-left corner of your worksheet, cell A1 (the first row and column).

Navigating to your Excel data document is similar to selecting a Word data document.

Open a blank Word document
From the Tools menu, select Letters and Mailings » Mail Merge...
The Mail Merge task pane appears.
Under Select document type, select Letters
Click NEXT: STARTING DOCUMENT
Under Select starting document, select Use the current document
Click NEXT: SELECT RECIPIENTS
Under Select recipients, select Use an existing list
To retrieve an existing recipient list,
1. Under Use an existing list, click BROWSE...
  The Select Data Source dialog box appears.
2. From the Look in pull-down list, locate and select the Excel workbook you will use for your list
3. Click OPEN
  The Select Table dialog box appears.
If your Excel workbook has multiple worksheets, select the worksheet containing your list of recipients
Click OK
The Mail Merge Recipients dialog box appears.
Select the recipient(s) you want to include in your mail merge
NOTE: To edit the recipient information, refer to Working with the Recipient List.
Click OK
Click NEXT: WRITE YOUR LETTER
If you have not already done so, write your letter and insert the variable fields
When finished, click NEXT: PREVIEW YOUR LETTERS
A preview of your first recipient appears.
NOTES:
For more information on editing the recipient information, refer to Working with the Recipient List.
To remove a recipient from the mail merge, under Make changes, click EXCLUDE THIS RECIPIENT.
Click NEXT: COMPLETE THE MERGE
To print the letters,
1. Under Merge, click PRINT...
  The Merge to Printer dialog box appears.
2. Make the appropriate selection
3. Click OK
  The Print dialog box appears.
4. To specify the feedsource,
  1. Click OPTIONS...
    The second Print dialog box appears.
  2. From the Default tray pull-down list, make the appropriate selection
  3. Click OK
5. To specify the printer, in the Printer section, from the Name pull-down list, make the appropriate selection
6. Make any necessary adjustments
7. Click OK
To make changes to the letters,
1. Under Merge, click EDIT INDIVIDUAL LETTERS...
  The Merge to New Document dialog box appears.
2. Make the appropriate selection
3. Click OK
  Make the appropriate changes in the new document that appear
4. Save the document