Now that the data source has been chosen, it’s time to insert the merge fields based on the headings you created in the data file (Name, Address, etc.). If you had multiple worksheets in the data file you created, you would want to select the one with the data you want merged. When you do this a little box pops up asking you which table you want to use within the excel file. Locate the excel spreadsheet you just created and click the “Open” button. This brings up a dialogue box that allows you to select your data source from a location on your computer.Ĥ. Click on the “Select Recipients” button and select “Use Existing List”.ģ. Locate and click on the “Mailings” tab on the top of the tool bar.Ģ. In order to do this, we need to tell Microsoft Word where to pull the data from.ġ.
Now that the page is set up, we’re going to insert the fields that we want merged onto the mailing label. Click the button that says “New Document”.Ībove is the empty labels template with text boxes inserted that correspond exactly with the specific template you are using (in this case Avery Labels 8163). It should now display that you have selected Avery Template #8163. This brings you back to the “Envelopes and Labels” dialogue box. So, in the “Label Options” dialogue box, select the appropriate Avery template number and hit “OK”.ĥ. For this example, I’ll be using Avery Shipping Labels, template #8163. The next part is where we choose the labels that we’re using. When the “Envelopes and Labels” dialogue box opens, locate the “Options” button and click on it.Ĥ. Next, click the labels button located on the top left of the “Mailings” menu.ģ. Open Microsoft Word and click the “Mailings” tab at the top.Ģ. Now that the list of recipients has been created, the second step is to create the labels template.ġ. Your excel spreadsheet should look like this (with the exception of the specific recipient information: When finished, save your spreadsheet with a name and in a place you’ll be able to locate easily later (I prefer the desktop). Now that the column headings are set, fill in the appropriate information for each of the people you are creating a label for.
Likewise type City, State and Zip in the fourth, fifth and sixth cell respectively. The first row will be the column headings, so in the first cell type the word First, in the next cell type Last and in the third cell of the first row, type Address. Since we’re creating mailing labels, the data we will be merging will be first name, last name, and address.Ģ.
(This works with Google Docs’ spreadsheets too).
Open Microsoft Excel or whichever spreadsheet software you use. Merge Data from an Excel Workbook into a Word Documentġ. The first thing I would do is create the Excel worksheet from which my Word template will pull data from. Let’s say I want to create mailing labels for a “save the date” postcard. This will allow the mapping process to go a lot smoother (I’ll talk about mapping a bit later). You need to make sure the column headings are recognizable and properly labeled. The first and most important is your list and data within the list. There are three main steps involved in building a merged document. Imagine the possibilities, especially for direct mail purposes. Everything from envelopes and letters to name badges and table tents, data merging will eliminate the exhaustive task of typing each record by hand by pulling data from a designated Excel file.
Merging data from an Excel spreadsheet or workbook is a very basic, yet powerful tool that can save a tremendous amount of time when trying to create documents that have variable fields. You probably wouldn’t want to go through all this trouble just to keep using Microsoft Word 2011, but it’s a viable workaround if you really insist.įuture Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.Merge Data from an Excel Workbook into a Word Document
You can install previous Mac, or even Windows, operating systems on that second desktop to run 32-bit apps. PCMag recommends downloading Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion, which are programs that allow users to set up a window that essentially serves as a parallel desktop. If you for some reason need to keep using 32-bit apps, you can purchase software that will allow you to continue using older Mac operating systems alongside Catalina.
However, newer versions may also be free on the manufacturer’s website or you can just find alternatives – for example, you might find Google Docs to be an adequate substitute for Word. In some cases, as with Word, you’ll have to buy the updated product. If you want to keep using those apps, it might be worth finding newer, 64-bit versions.