If you are using Microsoft Office 2000 or 98, rejoice, the mail merge menu is part of the tools menu. Go to tools, open it, select mail merge. There are only 3 steps to perform. Create document, get Data source, then Merge with document. When you select the last step, merge with document, a menu icon will appear that will allow you to insert your “merge fields”.

If you are using Microsoft Office XP, such as we are using at Coastal, here are your steps:

1. Type your document. It could be a letter to parents or a certificate for your class.

2. Go to your view menu, select Toolbars, make sure Mail Merge toolbar is showing.

3. Once the toolbar is showing, you will access the toolbar from left to right, starting with the Main Document Setup icon on the left and ending on the right with the Merge to Printer icon.

4. On the left of the toolbar, select the Main Document Setup icon, you can tell it that you are doing a letter or a normal word document.

5. Next you will select the 2nd icon, Open Data Source. Navigate to your database and select open. I you are confronted with two additional menus, select .mdb for file type and then select your table. However, you may not be asked to make these two selections.

6. Select your 6th icon, Insert Merge Fields. Do this!

7. After you have your merge fields places where you want them, you can select the <<ABC>> to see you merge on screen.

8. use your back and forward arrows to see your merges.

9. Select your Merge to Printer icon, to send your mail merge to your printer.