RSSWhile Microsoft Outlook supports mail merge, it does not support merging attachments with the message. You'll need to either use one of the mail merge tools on this page (most support including attachments in the merged message) or use VBA. You can use an ItemSend macro to add the attachment (and set field values) as the message is sent. Microsoft Word MVP Doug Robbins wrote the Mail Merge to E-mail with Attachments code sample using Word VBA to create a mail merge with attachments.
Mail Merge with Categories
The following tutorial shows how to do a mail merge using categories. This method works in Outlook 2003, 2007 or 2010.
From Outlook's Contacts folder:
- Switch to the By Category view
- Select the Category
- Go to Tools, Mail merge
- Click on Only Selected contacts (top left)
- Select the document type (lower left)
- Select Merge to format (lower left)
- Ok your way out of the dialog to send the merge to Word
Mail merge to email:
When merging to a letter or email, type your letter, adding the merge fields where desired. Preview the results before clicking Finish & Merge.
Complete labels in Word:
- Click the Setup button
- Select the desired label format
- Insert the merge fields you need
- Click the Update Labels button to copy the fields to all labels.
- Preview the results
- Finish & Merge
To show the mail merge wizard, click Start Mail merge and choose Step by Step Mail Merge Wizard (Outlook 2007/2010) to use the wizard pane. You can use change the document type from here and step forward or backward as needed. It's on Tools, Envelopes and Letters menu in older versions.
Video Tutorial
Although I use the address block in this tutorial, we recommend inserting individual address fields for best results.
Tips
You can change the Document type or show the Mail merge wizard pane in Word. In Word 2007/2010, look on the Start Mail Merge menu. In Word 2003 and older, Mail Merge is on the Tools, Letters and Mailings menu.
| Tools in the Spotlight | |
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Create and send personalized individually addressed e-mail messages using an easy Wizard in Outlook - plain text, HTML or rich text. Your recipient list can be in Outlook, Exchange Global Address Lists, Excel or Access files. You can use Categories or Distribution Lists to keep mailing lists. You can even defer and batch send your emails to get around ISP restrictions. This is your complete Outlook based solution for e-mail newsletters, business announcements and sales & marketing emails.Supports Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003,2007 and Outlook 2010. | |
Generate individual messages to Outlook contacts from documents designed in Word or Publisher, including messages in GIF format with image maps. Allows you to add attachments and generate a custom subject for each message using merged data. Does not trigger Outlook security prompts. | |
Now at version 2, Send Individually was designed for small companies needing to stay in touch with their customers via a newsletter, allows you to send emails to people individually addressed and one at a time. Version 2.0 has several bug fixes, now has better reporting capabilities and allows you the option of deleting the emails from your Sent Items folder after they have been sent for easy cleanup. Enter code WD9BHK53 during checkout. | |
Mass mail tool that expands Outlook distribution lists and sends an individual message to each member of the list. Can exclude certain names from the DL. Has some mail merge capability for inserting personalized text in the body of messages. Outlook 2000 or later. | |
| Tools | |
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Office Documents adds powerful mail-merge capabilities to Outlook, with merge to Word DOcuments, Excel Spreadhseets and Outlook EMails. Perfect for fully personalizing email messages, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets, making Aladdins the premium solution for all your mail-merge needs. Version 4. | |
Multifunction utility to send individual messages to a list generated either from a text file or from criteria on the Contacts folder, remove large file attachments, remove duplicate contacts and messages, and perform a few other little chores. | |
Mail merge to email with support for attachments, pictures, and HTML hyperlinks. Messages are stored for later reuse. Does not trigger Outlook email security prompts. | |
Outlook Mail Merge Attachment supplies the mail merge process in Microsoft Office Word and Outlook with the functionality to add an attachment. The script is tested on Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007. (Free) | |
Bulk mail tool to send an individual message to multiple recipients. Addresses can come from any address list and may include distribution lists. Has the ability to set time delay periods between messages to comply with Internet Service Provider limitations on group mailings and supports automatic unsubscribe and remove request processing, and email extraction features to aid in the creation of targeted mailing lists for newsletters, support groups, and press releases. (Was Prosoft Apps Internet Email Software) | |
Email Merge Personalized Individually Addressed Invitations, Greetings and Sales Letters at the click of a button. Supports Outlook 2000,2002, 2003 and 2007, with or without Word as Editor. | |
QNewsLetter is a simple to use mail merge add-in for Outlook. With QNewsLetter you can send personalized emails. | |
Create distribution list and send bulk e-mail to recipients by pulling out them from selected Microsoft Outlook folders, e-mails, contacts, meetings, or tasks in one click. Plug-in integrated in Microsoft Outlook actions menu, shortcut menu, into toolbar, and right-click item menu. Add recipients to Distribution list that already exists. Add recipients to new e-mail "To", "CC", or "BCC" field in one click. Time-saving tool for routine tasks. Version 1.41 | |
Bulk mail program that sends an individual message to each recipient. Can use Outlook data, as well as many other sources. Can attach up to 20 files, even to HTML-format messages, and use merge fields to build the message subject. Does not trigger the Outlook security prompts | |
More Information
Set fields on mail merge messages and add attachments
Mail Merge to E-mail with Attachments — Use Word VBA to create a mail merge with attachments. Includes code sample written by Word MVP Doug Robbins.
Use Outlook’s Contacts with Mail Merge (Outlook-tips)
To start a Word letter from an Outlook contact
