Mail Merge
What this domain tests
Mail merge produces many personalised documents from one template plus a data source. You must understand the three parts: the main document (the template with fixed text), the data source (a list of records such as a table or spreadsheet with fields like name and address), and the merged output (one copy per record). Know the steps: create or open the main document, connect the data source, insert merge fields into the document, preview the results, then complete the merge.
Fields and records
A field is a column of information (First Name, City); a record is one row (one person). Merge fields are placeholders that get replaced by each record's data. You can filter or sort records before merging so only selected records produce documents.
Traps to watch
- The data source is separate from the main document; editing the template does not change the data.
- Preview before merging to catch missing fields or wrong placement.
- A missing field value leaves a blank, not an error - check your data.
- Merging to a new document lets you review before printing; merging straight to printer does not.
- Field names must match the data source headers exactly.
Worked example
To send a letter to 50 clients: write the letter once as the main document, connect a spreadsheet with Name and Address columns, insert the «Name» and «Address» fields where they belong, preview a few records, then merge to a new document for review before printing.
Rule of thumb
Template plus data equals one output per record. If the merge looks wrong, check field names and the data source first.