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University of Wyoming

4HPlus!
Mail Merge with 4HPlus!
and Microsoft Word

[pdf version]

Introduction

Create Mail Merge File

SQL Request

Mail Merge Wizard

Use Saved SQL Request

Introduction

A mail merge file can be created in the 4HPlus! program and used to send letters to the members and/or leaders.  This is done through the mail merge feature in Microsoft Word.  The examples are using Microsoft Office XP or Office 2003, and Windows XP.

Mail merge is also used to create e-mail message, envelopes, labels, and directories.  Name badges can be created by using labels and selecting the Avery 5095 name badge label option.

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Create the Mail Merge File

Use the SQL feature in 4HPlus! to create a mail merge file to send letters to members and/or leaders.  In this example, a letter is being sent to all members welcoming them to the new 4-H year.  The letter shows the member's personal information and asks them to confirm it is correct.  It also includes a request for their e-mail address, if they have one available.

  1. Open the 4HPlus! program.
  2. Click Go to > Members > SQL > Request > Mail Merge.

Note:  Use the current year field to select the current members.

  1. Check the Current Year check box on the Build Mail Merge File screen.
  2. Click the (=) Equal to radio button in the Operator box.
  3. A box showing a list of years displays.  Highlight the current year.
  4. Click the Continue button.
  5. A Connector box displays.  Click the Process radio button.

Note:  The number of matches for the query displays.  Make sure data is available, and the number of matches is not zero.

  1. Next, the Select print fields in print order screen displays.  See Figure 1.  Click the image to enlarge it.

Figure 1. Select Print Fields Click the image to enlarge it.

Figure 1.  Select Print Fields
  1. Click the check box for these fields.

    Last        Zip
    First        Phone
    Street     DOB
    City        School Name
    State       E-mail Address

  2. Click the Continue (select sort order) button.
  3. At the Select Sort Order screen, check Last so it sorts on the last name.  The number 1 appears to the left of the field name showing it is the primary sort.
  4. Check First so it performs a secondary sort on the first name.  The number 2 displays to the left of the field name.
  5. Click the Process My Request! button.
  6. An information window displays with the message, "Task Completed!  Merge Fields are in file C:\CKV\4HPlus\WY\Files\4HPMail.dat."  Make a note of the file location.
  7. Click OK.

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SQL Request

Once the SQL request is completed, it can be saved to be used again in the future.

  1. Click Queue > Add.  The SQL request criterion displays.
  2. Type Current Members in the Name Request field.
  3. Press the tab key.
  4. Click the Add Now button.
  5. Click the Return button.

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Mail Merge Wizard

The member information is used in a mail merge to send the letter.  The data is merged using the Mail Merge Wizard.

  1. Open the Microsoft Word program.
  2. Open a new document.

Note:  The examples are shown in print layout view.  Click View > Print Layout to change the view, if needed.

  1. Click Tools > Letters and Mailings > Mail Merge Wizard.  The task pane with the Mail Merge wizard displays on the right-hand side of the screen.  See Figure 2.  Click the image to enlarge it.

Figure 2. Mail Merge Wizard Click the image to enlarge it.

Figure 2.  Mail Merge Wizard
  1. Select the document type by clicking the Letters radio button.
  2. Click the Next: Starting document link.
  3. Click the Use the current document radio button.
  4. Click the Next: Select recipients link.
  5. Click the Use an existing list radio button.
  6. Under the Use an existing list section, click the Browse link.  The Select Data Source window displays.
  7. Navigate to the 4HMail file located in the C:\CKV\4HPlus\WY\Files folder, and open it.  The Mail Merge Recipients window displays.  See Figure 3.

Figure 3. Mail Merge Recipients

Figure 3.  Mail Merge Recipients
  1. Click the Select All button, and click OK.

Note:  The path for the 4HMail file displays in the Use an existing list section.

  1. Click the Next: Write your letter link.

Note:  Click the Show/Hide icon so the paragraph and tab marks display while inserting fields in the letter.  Displaying the icon makes it easier to place the fields in the letter.

  1. Click Insert > Date and Time to show the current date.  The Date and Time dialog box displays.
  2. Highlight the desired date format.
  3. Check the Update automatically box.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Press Enter three times to leave space in-between the date and the address block.
  6. Click the Address Block link in the Write your letter section.  The Address Block dialog box displays.
  7. Click the Match Fields button to display how the fields are matched between the 4-H mail merge file and Word mail merge.  The Address 1 field is not available.  See Figure 4.

Figure 4. Match Fields

Figure 4.  Match Fields
  1. Click the Address 1 field arrow.  A list of the fields from the 4-H data displays.
  2. Highlight Street to match it with the Address 1 field.
  3. Click OK.  The Address Block dialog box displays.
  4. Highlight Joshua Randall Jr. under the Insert recipient's name in this format section.
  5. Because a company name is not used with 4-H, click the Insert company name box to uncheck it.
  6. Check the radio button for Never include the country/region in the address in the Insert postal address section.
  7. Look at the Preview field to see if the address is in the desired format.  Make changes as needed.
  8. Click OK.  The wording <<AddressBlock>> displays in the letter.
  9. Press Enter three times to add blank lines in-between the address block and the salutation.
  10. Click the Greeting line link.  See Figure 5.

Figure 5. Greeting Line

Figure 5.  Greeting Line
  1. Click the down arrow next to Mr. Randall.  Scroll down, and select the greeting for Joshua or Josh.
  2. Look at the Preview field to see if the greeting is in the desired format.  Make changes as needed.
  3. Click OK.  The wording <<GreetingLine>> displays in the letter.
  4. Type the rest of the letter.  See the sample letter in Figure 6.  Click the image to enlarge it.

 

Figure 6. Sample Letter Click the image to enlarge it.
Figure 6.  Sample Letter
  1. Member information is added after the signature block.  Take the following steps to add the fields.
  2. Type Name:, and press the tab key.
  3. Click the More items link in the Mail Merge task pane.  The Insert Merge Field dialog box displays.  See Figure 7.

Figure 7. Insert Merge Field

Figure 7.  Insert Merge Field
  1. Click the Database Fields radio button.
  2. Highlight First for the first name, and click the Insert button.
  3. Click the Close button.  The field <<First>> displays on the letter.
  4. Press the spacebar to add a space after <<First>>.
  5. Click the More items link.
  6. Highlight Last for the last name, and click Insert.
  7. Click the Close button.
  8. Press the Enter key.
  9. To insert the address, type the word Address:, and press the tab key.
  10. Click the More items link.
  11. Highlight Street, and click Insert.
  12. Click the Close button.
  13. Add a space after <<Street>>.
  14. Click the More items link.
  15. Highlight City, and click Insert.
  16. Click the Close button.
  17. Add a space after <<City>>.
  18. Click the More items link.
  19. Highlight State, and click Insert.
  20. Add a space after <<State>>.
  21. Press the Enter key.
  22. Click the More items link.
  23. Highlight Zip, and click Insert.
  24. Click the Close button.
  25. Type Phone Number: on the next line, and press the tab key.
  26. Click the More Items link.
  27. Highlight Phone, and click Insert.
  28. Click the Close button.
  29. Press the Enter key.
  30. Repeat the process for the birthday, school, and e-mail address items.  See Figure 8 for the final letter.  Click the image to enlarge it.

Note:  Align the information by changing the tab setting.  Highlight the personal information.  Be sure the left tab icon displays on the ruler.  Click at 1 1/2" mark on the ruler.

 

Figure 8. Final Letter Click the image to enlarge it.
Figure 8.  Final Letter
  1. Click the Next: Preview your letters link.  The letter displays with the information.  Review it to be sure everything is correct.  Click the arrow buttons to review additional letters.

Note:  Changes can be made to the letter or to the data.  Click the Previous: Write your letter link to make changes to the letter.  Click the Previous: Select recipients link and the Edit recipient list link to make changes to the data.

  1. Click the Next: Complete the merge link.  Two options are available.
    1. Click the Print link to print the letters.
    2. Click the Edit individual letters link to make changes to individual letters.
  2. Click File > Save As to save the letters.
  3. Type the file name, and click the Save button.

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Use the Current Members Saved Request

The current members request can be used again to create another mail merge file.  It uses the same criteria as originally created.  Create a new request when different criterion is needed.

  1. Click Go to > Members > SQL > Queue > Display.
  2. A list of the saved SQL requests displays.
  3. Highlight the Current Members request.  The request criterion displays.
  4. Click the Process button to run the request.
  5. Click OK at the information message.
  6. Click Exit > Go to > Exit to close the program.

Revised 9/10/2004

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Updated 09/14/2006