To make a mail merge document, you need to open up a file for word processing, and you need an existing database, such as the one you just made. If you've ever seen or received something from somplace like Publisher's Clearinghouse, or a bill from somewhere, chances are it was printed using mail merge. You know the script: "You and all of your friends on ACADEMY ROAD in THETFORD, VERMONT, will be so envious when Ed McMahon pulls up in your driveway with a check for 10 MILLION DOLLARS!"

How do they make these letters? Using mail-merge of course.

First, you need to write a letter that will go to each of the people in your database. It should have blank places for the various fields that you included in the database. Then, pull down the FILE MENU and choose "Mail Merge" as shown below:

When you do, you will have to choose a database. Select your database. In the box below, I chose the presidents database. Now in your letter, find the place where you want to include, say, the name of the person. Then click on that spot in your file, and then select the field name in the box shown, and click on the "INSERT FIELD" button. Keep doing this with your other fields, the choose the "PRINT MERGE" button.

For example, you could have a letter like:

Dear xxx ,

I almost forgot your birthday, xxx ! On that day you will be xxx years old.

I'll be sending you a present to your address, xxxxxx, do you still live there?

` Your Friend,

Joe

Where you have an "xxx" you insert the field that you want, like name, address or age... depending on how you define your database. Now, do the last assignment.