Mail merge in Google Docs can be done using add-ons allows you to create personalized documents by merging a template with a list of data. Mail merge is handy for creating personalized letters, certificates, labels, or any other mass communication.
Here’s how it works:
- Template Creation: Create a Google Docs template containing placeholders (merge tags) like
<<First Name>>for the data you want to insert. - Data Source: Prepare a Google Sheets document with your data, where each row represents a recipient, and each column corresponds to a merge tag.
- Personalized Output: Google Docs automatically generates personalized documents for each recipient, replacing merge tags with actual data. You can save these as individual files or send them directly via email.
Steps to Perform Mail Merge in Google Docs Using Google Sheets
Google Docs doesn’t have a native mail merge feature, but using add-ons can simplify the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing a mail merge:
Step 1: Create Your Template Document in Google Docs
- Open Google Docs and create a new template document (e.g., an invoice, letter, or student grade report).
- Design the document with placeholders (merge fields) where personalized information will appear.
Step 2: Install a Mail Merge Add-on
Go to Extensions > Add-ons. Search and install add-on like:
- Mail Merge with Attachments
- Autocrat
Step 3: Configure and Start Mail Merge
Click Extensions, select your installed mail merge add-on, and choose Start Mail Merge.
Step 4: Select Open Spreadsheet in the Right Mail Merge Menu
Choose “Open Spreadsheet” to select a Google Sheets file containing your data.
Step 5: In the sidebar, click the Mail Merge button
Step 6: Choose the document type (letters, envelopes, labels, or emails).
Step 7: Select recipients from your Google Sheets data.
- Customize individual messages using merge fields.
Step 8: Generate Merged Documents
- Click “Merge” to create personalized documents.
- Export to PDF, Word, or print directly from Google Docs.
