How finish and merge in mailings in word 365 work
In Microsoft Word 365, "Finish and Merge" is a feature that allows you to merge a document with a data source, such as a database or a CSV file, and then save the merged documents as separate files. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature:
Prerequisites:
- You need to have a data source set up, such as a database or a CSV file, that contains the information you want to merge into your document.
- Your document should be set up with merge fields, which are placeholders that will be replaced with data from your data source.
Step 1: Set up your data source
- Open your document in Word 365.
- Go to the "Mailings" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on "Select Recipients" and choose your data source from the drop-down menu. For example, you can choose "Use an existing list" and select a CSV file or a database connection.
- Click "OK" to select your data source.
Step 2: Set up your merge fields
- Open your document in Word 365.
- Go to the "Mailings" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on "Insert Merge Field" to insert a merge field into your document.
- Choose the field you want to insert from the drop-down menu. For example, you can choose "First Name" or "Last Name".
- Click "OK" to insert the merge field.
Step 3: Finish and Merge
- Go to the "Mailings" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on "Finish & Merge" in the "Create" group.
- Choose "Edit Individual Documents" from the drop-down menu.
- Click "OK" to start the merge process.
What happens during the merge process:
- Word 365 will replace the merge fields in your document with the corresponding data from your data source.
- The merged documents will be saved as separate files in the location you specify.
- You can choose to save the merged documents as individual files or as a single file with multiple pages.
Tips and Variations:
- You can customize the merge process by using different merge fields, such as conditional statements or calculations.
- You can also use the "Merge to PDF" option to save the merged documents as PDF files.
- If you have a large data source, you can use the "Merge to Folder" option to save the merged documents in a folder instead of individual files.