How to Do Mail Merge in Word on Mac

Sending out personalized cards and labels to friends, family, or colleagues can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large contact list. However, with Microsoft Word's Mail Merge feature on your Mac, you can easily create targeted mailings using your Entourage address book. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and performing a mail merge in Word on your Mac.

Step 1: Create a New Category for Your Mailing List

Unless you want to send cards to everyone in your address book, start by creating a new category for your mailing list. This will allow you to select specific contacts whom you want to receive the card. In Entourage, go to the Edit menu and choose Categories, then Edit Categories. From there, you can add a new category and give it a name like 'Holiday Mailing List.'

Step 2: Highlight Contacts and Add to Category

To add contacts to your new category, highlight each contact you want to include in the mailing list. Then, click on the arrow next to 'Categories' in the top bar of the Entourage window and select the new category.

Step 3: Create Labels Using Mail Merge Manager

From the Tools menu, choose Mail Merge Manager. This will open a box with numbers 1-6. Click on #1 and select Labels. A Mail Merge Manager box will appear with options for creating labels.

Step 4: Select Label Type and Format

In the Get List window that pops up, select the correct label brand and size that matches your package. The most common label type is Avery 5160, but check your package to ensure accuracy.

Preparing Your Excel Data Source

Before connecting your data source to your mail merge document in Word, make sure you have completed any changes or additions to your spreadsheet. For a successful mail merge, it's essential that all data be present in the first sheet of your spreadsheet and formatted correctly.

Here are some tips for preparing your Excel spreadsheet:

* Ensure column names match field names you want to insert in your mail merge.

* Make sure separate columns are created for first and last names if you plan to address readers by their full name.

* Format data entries with percentages, currencies, and postal codes correctly so that Word can properly read their values.

By following these steps and preparing your Excel spreadsheet accordingly, you'll be well on your way to creating personalized mailings using Microsoft Word's Mail Merge feature on your Mac.

How to do mail merge in word on mac