Tunderbird Mail Merge

As of now, GTS has not found a way to use Microsoft Word's "mail merge" feature with Mozilla Thunderbird. If you need to use Mail Merge, we have devised an alternative solution which uses a program called Open Office. This three step process is detailed below.

1. Creating Address List

This is best done using Microsoft Excel. Open Excel and create a table showing contacts' first names and e-mail addresses. (Note - these two fields are required, you may add more for functionality, but Mail Merge will require only these.)

If you require help using Excel, you can visit our Microsoft Excel page or contact GTS at x6111.

Save the Excel spreadsheet.

2. Create E-mail Message

Start Open Office Writer by selecting it from "OpenOffice.org 2.2" in the "All Programs" section of your Start Menu. This will open up a program which looks similar to Microsoft Word. It has the same basic functionality as Word.

Compose your e-mail message leaving out a salutation.

3. Personalize Salutations and Send

Once you have finished writing your message, go to "Tools" and select "Mail Merge Wizard." This will open a new window. You will be asked which document to use. Select the "current document" option and click "next." You will now be asked what type of merge you would like to do. Select "e-mail message" and hit next.

Now you are asked to select the address list for your e-mail. Click the "Select Address List" button in the upper right corner of the window. A new window will open asking you which list to use. Click the "add" button, browse to your Excel document, and click "open." Your excel document should now appear in the middle of the window, click "okay" to continue.

You must now customize the salutation. To do this, uncheck the "Insert Personalized Salutation" box. Move down to the "General Salutation Field" and type in the desired salutation using <First Name> for where you would like the recipient's name to go. Click "next."

Use the "up" button and the preview window to move the salutation to the desired location in the e-mail. Continue clicking the "next" button until you arrive at Step 8 (as noted in the window on the left). Here you can choose how to finish the merge. If you wish to send via e-mail, select "Send merged document as E-mail." The area below will change to allow you to specify a subject as well as add Cc recipients to the e-mail. When you are finished, click "send documents."

Before your documents send, you may be asked for e-mail server information. You will only need to answer this once. If you have questions about what information you need, contact GTS at x6111.

If you choose, you can save the original document and open it for another mail merge at a later date.