Database Help - Excel, Acces, etc.
 

I'm not even sure if database is the right term for what I need to do. I basically need to input about 500 names and addresses into my computer. This is so I can easily send letters through the mail (not e-mail). (It's for a political campaign.)

What I'd like to do is to input the list into some kind of program - whether it is Excel or Acces or whatever else. And then, I'd like to be able to write a letter in MS word. But, I don't want to have to write the persons name at the top 500 times (ie. Dear John Jay). I'd rather write something like: Dear 'First Name' 'Last Name'. So, I just write something once, and then the computer accesses my 'database' to do all the hard work of filling in the names.

In addition, I will also be using the 'database' to easily create mailing letter address labels - to be put on the actual letter envelope - in MS Word. I know how to make a label, but I'd like to do it automatically much the same way I will do it in the actual letter (as stated above).

So, basically I'm asking how can this be done? How do I input this long list of names and addresses I have and then tell MS Word to automatically fill in the blanks for my letters and address labels?

Thank you. Any help is much appreciated guys.

P.S. I'd like an answer ASAP. I should have done this days ago. LOL.

For inputting the names I dont know any way, other than maybe a voice recognition program, to input the names. But once you have them all entered into an excel file you can then write a word document and do a mail merge to create personalized letters.


To do a mail merge:

1. Create excel file.

2. Create word doc. When creating word doc go up to tools/letters and mailing/show mail merge tools.

Once they are showing you will highlight the button to open data source. You will locate your excel file and select that.

Begin typing. ANy area you want to insert a name or something else to be personalized you will go up to the mail merge tools and select insert merge field.

Example: Dear (insert merge field "first name" from excel document) if you want both first and last names you would do this twice first selecting the "first name" column then the "last name" column).

If you wanted to then thank them later in the letter for the exact mount they contributed you can select that field and insert it.

Then you hit the "merge new document" button icon and there ya go 500 personalized letters.

Print and send.

What political campaign is this?

Thanks. It's for my Dad. He's running for councilman in NYC.

I also found this site for anyone that has my same question: http://mistupid.com/technical/mailmerge/index.htm

yeah i can help you througholy if you need it. i am a pro with those three programs. just let me know. like it was said before create an excel document and in the first row right first name then last name then address, etc. save it open word. hit tools letters mail merge and the type dear and select first name. and so on.