In Microsoft Word for Mac OS X, how do I perform a mail or data merge?

In Microsoft Word for Mac OS X, you can perform a mail merge or data merge by using the Data Merge Manager. These steps show you how to perform an effective data or mail merge using this tool. These instructions assume that you do not have a pre-existing source document where your data are stored. For more information, see What is a mail merge?

1. Open a new, blank document.
   
   
2. From the Tools menu, select Data Merge Manager.
   
   
3. In section 1 of the Data Merge Manager, labeled "Main Document", click Create.
   
   
4. Select the kind of of file you wish to create. You can choose from the following types:
   
   
   • Form letters
   • Mailing labels
   • Envelopes
   • Catalog
   
   If you selected either Mailing labels... (Labels... in Word 2004 and later) or Envelopes... , a dialog box will appear asking you to set up the format that will be used in the data merge. Select the format that you want to use, and click OK.
   
   
5. Move on to section 2 of the Data Merge Manager, labeled "Data Source". This section deals with your source document, which is where the data for insertion into your main document are stored. Click Get Data, and select New Data Source... .
   
   
6. The window that pops up contains a list of fields that you can use in your main document. A field is a particular type of information, such as a city name or zip code as part of an address label, or an individual's name as part of a phone book. You may remove any of these fields by selecting the field you wish to delete, and clicking Remove Field Name. Additionally, you may add a field by entering a name of your choice for the file into the "Field Name" box, and then clicking Add Field Name >> .
   
   
7. When you are finished adding and/or removing the field names, click OK to continue. The program will ask you to save your source file. To do this, in the "File Name" or "Save As" box, enter a name of your choice for the file and click Save.
   
   
8. After you save your source file, the program will present a dialog box titled Data Form. Enter the data you wish to merge into the fields in this box. After you have entered all the information for one record, click Add New or press the Return key to add additional records. When you have entered all the records, click OK.
   
   
9. Depending on what type of data merge you chose in step 4, either you will see a new window pop up or you will be returned to your main document. In either case, this is when you decide which fields to include in your main document and where you want them to appear. For form letters, catalogs, and envelopes, drag items from the "Merge Field" area of the Data Merge Manager to your main document. For labels, in the Edit Labels dialog box, position the cursor where you want each field to appear, click the Insert Merge Field icon on the toolbar and choose which field you want to include. When you have finished, click OK.
   
   
10. In the Data Merge Manager, you are ready to preview what your data merge will look like. Next to the word "Preview", click the triangle so that it is pointing down and then click the View Merged Data icon (the farthest left icon). This will give you a graphic display of what your merged data will look like when printed.
    
    
11. At this point you can go back and make any changes that are necessary. When your document looks the way you want it to look, then go back to the Data Merge Manager. Next to the word "Merge", click the triangle so that it is pointing down. If you are ready to print your merged data, click the Merge to Printer icon (the farthest left icon). If you want to merge the information into a document and save it for later, click the Merge to New Document icon (the second icon from the left).
    
    
12. You should now have a new document with your merged records. You may print, save, or view this document as you would any other Word document.

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