Forum Discussion
Karim Hossam
Microsoft
MicrosoftMail Merge Using SharePoint online List as Data Source
Hello,
can I use the data in a sharepoint online list ( inserted using powerapps) as a data source for a word file for mail merge .
I mean can we add the data in list in the quick parts of the w...
I have posted a similar request. We opened a ticket with Microsoft. I studied the entire SharePoint Framework Approach.
Up until SP 2016 and Office 2016 it was simply a matter of going to [VIEW]->[Sharepoint Properties], from where you could even change to values of the SharePoint Document Library columns or List's Columns. This was possible through ALL versions of SharePoint and ALL versions of Word up until the commitment to 365 became apparent. Since 2016 and the updates immediately thereafter these features have been made increasingly difficult to access.
Yes, 1 option is to create and Excel SpreadSheet or an MS Access Database with tables that link to the SharePoint list/library and then to write the Mail Merge to the linked table/spreadsheet. it means that you need an intermediary step and it runs the risk of not being the latest data when required.
Doing a mail merge of a multi-page contract with the latest data is frustrating using Word greater than 2016 - if you are hoping to link that Word document to a SharePoint list.
The best option is to link it to a database table that is closely linked to the SharePoint server, such as on a SQL table hosted on a specific database residing on the SQL Instance you have access already - ie the one that SharePoint already relies on.
The solution I have settled for eventually was to create a MySQL database on my ISP environment, create the table there, and link that table to Word. To edit it I have created a Linked Connection to MS Access, which can be used to edit the records and even launch the Word Document.
The learning time was marginal. The effort was minor. My mental health was better.
Up until SP 2016 and Office 2016 it was simply a matter of going to [VIEW]->[Sharepoint Properties], from where you could even change to values of the SharePoint Document Library columns or List's Columns. This was possible through ALL versions of SharePoint and ALL versions of Word up until the commitment to 365 became apparent. Since 2016 and the updates immediately thereafter these features have been made increasingly difficult to access.
Yes, 1 option is to create and Excel SpreadSheet or an MS Access Database with tables that link to the SharePoint list/library and then to write the Mail Merge to the linked table/spreadsheet. it means that you need an intermediary step and it runs the risk of not being the latest data when required.
Doing a mail merge of a multi-page contract with the latest data is frustrating using Word greater than 2016 - if you are hoping to link that Word document to a SharePoint list.
The best option is to link it to a database table that is closely linked to the SharePoint server, such as on a SQL table hosted on a specific database residing on the SQL Instance you have access already - ie the one that SharePoint already relies on.
The solution I have settled for eventually was to create a MySQL database on my ISP environment, create the table there, and link that table to Word. To edit it I have created a Linked Connection to MS Access, which can be used to edit the records and even launch the Word Document.
The learning time was marginal. The effort was minor. My mental health was better.