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Question

Can I mail merge to a saved template in Word 2011?

May 1, 2012 10:38PM PDT

Word 2011 offers templates for envelopes and business cards. When I try to use Mail Merge Manager and use a template it forces me to create a new document. Is there a way to create a template with a logo and place holders for addresses and be able to fill it from a spreadsheet? Using an iMac with Lion OS. Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Short answer is Yes,
May 2, 2012 8:43AM PDT

However, Word also gives you the option of using the current open document as a template.

You can create your template in Word and then save it as a Template.

See the help file for full details

P

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Can I mail merge to a saved template in Word 2011?
May 2, 2012 11:11PM PDT

I have already created and saved my templates in Word. The problem is activating the template and linking it to the spreadsheet where the addresses are stored for the merge to take place.

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Although the term template means something in Word,
May 3, 2012 11:16AM PDT

you do not have to have a document saved as a template to do a mail merge.

I have just gone through the procedure and it worked fine for me.

After launching the Mail Merge Manager from the Tools menu, are you able to choose "Open data source" in step 3 after you click on Get List?

If you can, just navigate to wherever your spreadsheet is and choose it.
If you do not see the Open data source option, you may need to rebuild your identity.

P

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Mail merge to existing template in Word 2011
May 26, 2012 3:25AM PDT

I have the same issue, and I don't think it was fully addressed here. Sure, I know how to create a new form. The issue is if a user already has an existing template it should be possible to use that and not start again from scratch each time. But as the OP wrote, Word 2011 isn't giving us that option. The only option seems to be "create new."

MPB with Lion 10.7.3 and Word 2011 14.2.2

Thanks.

Jim

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Strange, my copy of Word
May 26, 2012 9:35AM PDT

asks if I want to create a new document or use the one that I have open.

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Mail merge to existing template in Word 2011
May 27, 2012 8:47AM PDT

Strange indeed. Are you running the same version I am? I checked and it is the most recent.

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Mail merge to existing template in Word 2011
May 27, 2012 1:50PM PDT

I found a work-around. When I select "Create New" then click on "Labels" and get the "Label Options" window, instead of selecting a label I click on "Cancel." The Mail Merge Manager then accepts the existing document.

Weird!