How to add mail merge fields

Mail merge fields are placeholders in a document that are replaced with data from a data source, such as a spreadsheet or database, when the document is merged. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add mail merge fields in popular document editors:

Microsoft Word

  1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
  2. Go to the "Mailings" tab in the ribbon.
  3. Click on "Select Recipients" and choose your data source (e.g., a spreadsheet or database).
  4. Click on "Finish & Merge" and then "Edit Individual Documents" to open the merge document.
  5. Place your cursor where you want to insert a mail merge field.
  6. Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon and click on "Quick Parts" > "Field".
  7. In the "Field names" box, select the field you want to insert (e.g., "First Name", "Last Name", etc.).
  8. Click "OK" to insert the field.

Google Docs

  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Mail merge".
  3. Choose your data source (e.g., a Google Sheets spreadsheet).
  4. Click on "Merge" to open the merge document.
  5. Place your cursor where you want to insert a mail merge field.
  6. Type {{ followed by the field name (e.g., {{First Name}}) and }}.
  7. Press Enter to insert the field.

LibreOffice

  1. Open your document in LibreOffice.
  2. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Mail Merge".
  3. Choose your data source (e.g., a LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet).
  4. Click on "Next" to open the merge document.
  5. Place your cursor where you want to insert a mail merge field.
  6. Go to the "Insert" menu and select "Field" > "Merge Field".
  7. In the "Field names" box, select the field you want to insert (e.g., "First Name", "Last Name", etc.).
  8. Click "OK" to insert the field.

Other document editors

The process may vary slightly depending on the document editor you're using. Here are some general tips:

Tips and best practices