Pre-requisite:   You must have Microsoft WORD Ver 97, or better.

Purpose: To create mailing labels using the Microsoft Word Mail Merge utility.
Mail Merge can be used to create form letters, print mailing labels, create catalog pages and more...

Difficulty: Moderate

1. The "Main Document"  The main document is the document (set of labels, envelopes, or the form letter) that you are creating.  This document will contain the text (the "words" which will appear on every label, the body of text in a form letter...) and data fields.
2. The "Data Source"  This is the file in which your "variable data" is located.  This data is the variable data you select and it can be in an Excel spreadsheet, a Word table, an Access or DBase database, and in many other "delimited" file formats.
3. The "Merge Document"  This is the "new document" or file created after you've "merged" the data from the "Data Source" file.  The specific data you selected will be inserted into the "specific data field(s) you've specified. This new "merged document" will have a new, default file name after it is created.

1. Launch Microsoft Word and type the letter or memo you want.
   {Note: You can also Open an existing, saved letter if you desire and convert to a form letter.}
   Completely format the letter, inserting graphics, logos, pictures, etc. At those locations where you want data to change, enter a data Field Name.
2. Example: Where you want to type a name like: Bernard R. Buchta
3. Instead enter field names like : First  MI  Last,  Addr,  City,  State,  ZIP,  Phone, etc.
4. When you've finished typing the letter/form, SAVE IT (giving it a filename and location/folder).
5. Then, click on Tools menu --> Mail Merge --> Create --> Form Letter
6. Choose Active Document --> Get Data --> Create Data Source.
   Or (if you have one) . . .
   Choose Active Document --> Get Data --> Open Data Source.
7. Navigate to your data source (the particular spreadsheet, Word document or database which has your information). Then click OK.
8. Setup the Main Document which links your letter to your Data Source.
   A Mail Merge ToolBar automatically turns on.
   Edit your new form letter, by clicking on the Insert Merge Fields Placeholders << >> at appropriate locations.
9. Next, click on View Merged Data tool bar button <<ABC>> to view your Form Letter.
   Continue to Edit until you're happy with your New Form Letter.  Then Save.
10. Put paper in your printer, then choose "print" when ready.

1. Launch Microsoft Word
2. Open a New document.
3. Click on Tools--> Mail Merge --> Create-->Mailing Labels
4. Choose Active Document --> Get Data --> Open Data Source
   Navigate to your data source (the particular document or database that has your information), then Click OK
5. Setup the Main Document
   Select custom or pre-formatted label.
6. Insert Merge Fields.
   Merge fields are usually taken from the first row in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
   (Besides the variable text, can also type-in (enter) text which will appear on every label.)
7. When you are satisfied with your label setup, click on Merge.
   Merge will combine your datasource with the label you designed and return you to Word.
8. Choose "print" to print your labels.
9. You can save your document. Click on the save button and give the default file (Label1.doc) an appropriate filename.

Note: Experiment and make mistakes!!!! It's called "Practice!"

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