Mail Merge Outlook 2007 very disappointing...what can I do?

[v-chuco]

Hello..Im a Mid Atlantic partner account maanger for Microsoft and use
Outlook everyday to send msgs to my partners. I have been digging for answers
to make mail merge easier but it just doesnt seem like there is any way.

1. One problem I have is when I choose merge in my contact window and I get
the pop up, I already have my partners made in a distribution list, but when
i search I cant choose that list.. I have to choose just from my contacts,
but I have a ton of contacts including other MS employees.

2. I know there are 3rd party apps out there but woudlnt Outlook create tis
own add-on to allow this to happen? It seems like it woudl be so easy to have
a mail merge button as a menu option.

3. So what is my easier way to choose a mail merge from a pre-existing
dist. list?

Thanks...

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You would never use a DL as a data source for a merge. That's not what DL's
are for. You use your Contacts. There are ample instructions on how to use
the mail merge function both in Help files and Online. Read them and post
back with anything you don't understand.
http://www.gmayor.com/mailmerge_from_outlook.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA011186361033.aspx

 

[v-chuco]

So am i understanding that when i want to use a mail merge i have to sort
through a thousand contacts evertime? Wouldnt it make more sense to just let
you select a DL list, riht click, hit mail merge and then open up a new email
msg type it and hit send?

You would never use a DL as a data source for a merge. That's not what DL's
are for. You use your Contacts. There are ample instructions on how to use
the mail merge function both in Help files and Online. Read them and post
back with anything you don't understand.
http://www.gmayor.com/mailmerge_from_outlook.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA011186361033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hello..Im a Mid Atlantic partner account maanger for Microsoft and use
Outlook everyday to send msgs to my partners. I have been digging for
answers
to make mail merge easier but it just doesnt seem like there is any way.

1. One problem I have is when I choose merge in my contact window and I
get
the pop up, I already have my partners made in a distribution list, but
when
i search I cant choose that list.. I have to choose just from my contacts,
but I have a ton of contacts including other MS employees.

2. I know there are 3rd party apps out there but woudlnt Outlook create
tis
own add-on to allow this to happen? It seems like it woudl be so easy to
have
a mail merge button as a menu option.

3. So what is my easier way to choose a mail merge from a pre-existing
dist. list?

Thanks...

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Haven't bothered to read the instructions, have you? Do so. Tell us what you
don't understand.
When you start your merge from Outlook, you select your Contacts first, them
merge to that selection. There is never any need to "sort through a thousand
Contacts every time." You may need to spend some time to learn how to use
Outlook and learn how to organize your Contacts in a way that best suits
your needs.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

So am i understanding that when i want to use a mail merge i have to sort
through a thousand contacts evertime? Wouldnt it make more sense to just
let
you select a DL list, riht click, hit mail merge and then open up a new
email
msg type it and hit send?

You would never use a DL as a data source for a merge. That's not what
DL's
are for. You use your Contacts. There are ample instructions on how to
use
the mail merge function both in Help files and Online. Read them and post
back with anything you don't understand.
http://www.gmayor.com/mailmerge_from_outlook.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA011186361033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hello..Im a Mid Atlantic partner account maanger for Microsoft and use
Outlook everyday to send msgs to my partners. I have been digging for
answers
to make mail merge easier but it just doesnt seem like there is any
way.

1. One problem I have is when I choose merge in my contact window and
I
get
the pop up, I already have my partners made in a distribution list, but
when
i search I cant choose that list.. I have to choose just from my
contacts,
but I have a ton of contacts including other MS employees.

2. I know there are 3rd party apps out there but woudlnt Outlook create
tis
own add-on to allow this to happen? It seems like it woudl be so easy
to
have
a mail merge button as a menu option.

3. So what is my easier way to choose a mail merge from a pre-existing
dist. list?

Thanks...