Address Block
A predefined merge field that includes the recipient's name and address.
Bulk Mail
A large mailing, sorted by ZIP code, that is eligible for reduced postage rates, available from the United States Postal Service.
Chevrons
Characters used to surround a merge field to distinguish where data will be populated in the mail merge.
Complimentary Closing
A phrase--such as Sincerely or Yours truly--that is used to end a business letter.
Data Source
A file containing variable information, such as names and addresses, that is merged with a main document to create a customized document.
Database
An organized collection of facts about people, events, things, or ideas related to a particular topic or purpose.
Delimiters
Characters, such as commas and tabs, that are used to separate text into groups.
Directory
A single list of records using specified fields from a data source.
Field (Data Source)
A category or column of data in a data source.
Filter
A set of criteria applied to fields in a data source to display specific records.
Form Letter
A letter with standardized wording that can be sent to many different people.
Greeting Line
A predefined merge field that includes an introductory word, such as Dear, and the recipient's name.
Inside Address
The name and address of the recipient in a letter.
Mail Merge
A word feature that joins a data source and a main document to create a customized document.
Main Document
In a mail merge, the document that contains the text or formatting that remains constant.
Match Field
A word feature that maps predefined field names to the field names in the data source.
Nested Table
A table inserted in a cell of an existing table.
Record
A row of information that contains the data for one entity--for example, information about one person.
Rules
Conditional Word fields that allow you to determine how the merge process is completed.
Salutation
The greeting line of a letter, such as Dear Sir.
Watermark
A text or graphic element that displays behind document text.
Header Row
Data source information is stored in a table. The first row of the table is the header row and contains the field names for the data source. For example, FirstName, LastName, Address.
Merge Field
A merge field is where you want to insert the information from a data source into a main document. Merge fields appear with chevrons (� �) around them. An example would be: Dear �First Name�
Starting A Document
(Main Document) A document that contains the information that is the same for each merged document. The starting document contains field names for the variable information like the names and addresses that will be inserted.
Data Source or Recipients List
A file that contains the information to be inserted into the main document during a mail merge. For example, it has records containing the names and addresses of the people a mail merge letter is sent to.