Merging With Microsoft Word

These instructions apply to versions 6.0, 95, 97, 2000 and XP of Microsoft Word.

To integrate your mail merge source with Microsoft Word, simply open Word with an empty new document. Pull down the Tools menu and select ``Mail Merge''. Word allocates data sources per document (as opposed to OpenOffice, which allocates data sources applicable to all documents).

Word will now prompt you through a three-step process, where you must either open an existing document or turn the current document into a mail merge document (you may choose from Form Letters, Address Labels etc.)

Step two prompts you to get the data source - simply find the csv file in your mailmerge directory and select it. Note that by default Word will not show the csv files in it's dialog - make sure you drop down the file type list and select ``All Files (*.*)''

If you used an empty document, Word will prompt you to select mail merge fields to use. You can insert these placeholders into your document by dropping down the ``Insert Merge Field'' button that has appeared on the merge toolbar.

When you are happy, make sure you save your document. To run the merge, go back to Tools->Mail Merge and select ``Merge'' under step 3.

Word will generate a new document containing a new copy of your original document for each entry in the data for you to print and save.

The Word document you have created will always rely on your data source, so should you change it (generate a new one from Animal Shelter Manager), you can simply open the document again and rerun the merge.