Forum Discussion
Mail Merge from an Email - New Outlook
I am seeing this mail merge feature in New Outlook but struggling to find info about this feature. Does anyone know about this? Also not working when trying to send.
- EmmaSmythBrass Contributor
The "Start Mail Merge" feature in Outlook allows you to send personalised bulk emails to multiple recipients. Here's a brief overview of how it works:
1. Create Your Email Template: Start by drafting your email in Microsoft Word. This template will include placeholders for personalised information, such as names or addresses.
2. Prepare Your Data Source: Collect the recipient information in an Excel spreadsheet or use your Outlook contacts. Ensure each recipient has an email address listed.
3. Link Data to Template: In Word, go to the "Mailings" tab, select "Start Mail Merge," and choose "E-mail Messages." Then, use the "Select Recipients" option to link your data source (Excel or Outlook contacts) to your email template.
4. Insert Merge Fields: Replace placeholders in your email template with merge fields from your data source. This step customises each email with the recipient's information.
5. Preview and Finish: Use the "Preview Results" option to see how your emails will look. Once happy, click "Finish & Merge" and choose "Send E-mail Messages" to send your emails.
There are some YouTube videos that give tutorials too.
Hope this helps.
- princeyosaCopper Contributor
EmmaSmythIt seems that your description outlines how mail merge is done using Microsoft Word, Outlook Desktop, or Microsoft Excel.
However, I believe Chris_Ferraro is specifically referring to the "Start Mail Merge" button under the "Options" tab in Outlook.com. Unfortunately, like @Chris_FerrarChris_Ferraro , I have been unable to find any specific information about this feature online. Most resources, including your explanation, seem to focus on mail merge using Word, Outlook Desktop, and or Excel, (because some people maintain their contact lists in Excel).
As shown in the screenshot below, this feature is with regards to Outlook.com. I attempted to use this feature with a contact list I created, but it did not customize the emails. In fact, there was no option to "Insert Merge Field" or "Greeting Line" as can be found under the "Mailings" tab in Microsoft Word.
Any guidance on this specific feature in Outlook.com would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Chris_FerraroSteel Contributor
I did use it as well and found same behavior. I hope they add such customizations as this would be a great add.
- Chris_FerraroSteel Contributor
Thanks for the info. It has since disappeared so must be coming soon. Likely mirrors some of the steps you shared for doing a mail merge starting in Word.
- kellyhammerleCopper Contributor
I also couldn't complete an email merge in New Outlook - had to revert to classic Outlook to send it. Hopefully this feature is being added soon, as it's a real problem for me if New Outlook gets mandated and I can't run email merges.
- Chris_FerraroSteel Contributor
I received a new company machine and when I got back to load in New Outlook, this was appearing again and I was able to use it. It takes the email you have and sends it individually to users.
However, I did not see a way to customize the message with merge fields - hopefully something of that nature is coming or maybe I was just unable to figure out how to use it.- kellyhammerleCopper Contributor
Hmm, I'm not even seeing that in the New Outlook, or I would have a play. I've talked with colleagues that also heavily rely on email merges, so I hope they figure it out!