Hello headsetscom!
You asked what is the easiest way to output labels from Microsoft
Outlook. I experimented with a number of different scenarios,
including export the data into Access, but I found the easiest (and
fastest) method to be with Word (no formatting required). Here's what
I did (In Office 2000, but XP should be similar):
1. Open a blank document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on Tools -> Mail-Merge
3. Click on the 'create' button, and select mailing labels. I like
to dump my merges into new documents, so I also clicked on the 'new
main document.'
4. Next we're going to click 'Get Data' underneath the data source
heading.
5. Click 'Use Address Book' and a window will pop up with a few
options.
6. I selected 'Outlook Address Book' and clicked ok.
7. A window will appear which says 'Word needs to set up your main
document...' Click on the button to set up main document (like we
have a choice! :) )
8. Next you'll be presented with an extensive list of avery label
formats. Make sure the printer information is set to 'laser and ink
jet' and then scroll down the product number box until we find 5160.
When you find it, click on 5160 and click ok. A second window will
now pop up.
9. Next we'll design the label format. Click on the 'insert merge
field' button, and a list of all of your Outlook fields will appear.
I started with 'first_name' followed by hitting the space bar, and
then adding 'last_name.' I hit enter and then selected the
'postal_address' field, followed by the enter key again. I then
selected 'city', added a comma and a space, and then selected state.
I then entered another space, and then selected the 'postal_code'
field. I then clicked the 'ok' button to return to the
10. Click on merge, and you should be presented with a 'merge'
window. 'New document' should be selected in the drop down menu, and
all you'll need to do now is click 'merge' to create your label
document. Load up your printer with labels, and select print.
Everything should come right out!
11 (optional): If you'd like to exclude blank addresses, you can
click on the query options button. In the query screen that follows,
I selected postal_address under 'field', and then selected 'is not
blank' from the comparison drop down.
This quick and easy method should easily get you printing your labels
from Outlook. Should you run into any problems, please feel free to
post a clarification request.
Thanks!
-NishkaGA |
