How to do mail merge to print labels

Mail merge is a powerful feature in Microsoft Word that allows you to combine a document with a data source, such as an Excel spreadsheet or a database, to create multiple copies of the document with unique information. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do a mail merge to print labels:

Prerequisites:

• Microsoft Word 2010 or later
• A data source (e.g., Excel spreadsheet, CSV file, or database)
• A label template (e.g., Avery 5160 or similar)

Step 1: Prepare your data source

• Create a new Excel spreadsheet or open an existing one.
• Enter the data you want to use for the mail merge, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Save the spreadsheet as a CSV file (e.g., "labels.csv").

Step 2: Create a new Word document

• Open Microsoft Word and create a new document.
• Go to the "Mailings" tab in the ribbon.
• Click on "Start Mail Merge" and select "Step-by-Step Mail Merge Wizard".
• Choose "Labels" as the document type.

Step 3: Select your data source

• In the "Mail Merge" window, click on "Select Recipients" and then "Use an Existing List".
• Browse to the location of your CSV file and select it.
• Click "Open" to import the data into Word.

Step 4: Design your label template

• In the "Label Options" window, select the label template you want to use (e.g., Avery 5160).
• Adjust the label layout and design as needed.

Step 5: Merge the data with the label template

• In the "Mail Merge" window, click on "Write & Insert Fields" and select the fields you want to merge (e.g., "Name", "Address", "Phone Number").
• Click "OK" to merge the data with the label template.

Step 6: Preview and print the labels

• In the "Mail Merge" window, click on "Preview Results" to see how the labels will look with the merged data.
• Make any necessary adjustments to the layout or design.
• Click "Print" to print the labels.

Tips and Variations:

• Use the "Label Options" window to adjust the label layout and design, such as changing the font, font size, or spacing.
• Use the "Merge" button to merge the data with the label template, or use the "Insert Merge Field" button to insert individual fields.
• Use the "Preview Results" window to preview the labels and make adjustments before printing.
• You can also use other data sources, such as a database or a text file, as long as it's in a format that Word can read.
• You can also use other label templates, such as Avery 5163 or similar, by selecting the correct template in the "Label Options" window.

By following these steps, you should be able to create a mail merge to print labels using Microsoft Word.