Mail Merge guide
Mail Merge
is a desktop application designed to send personalized letters for signature to a larger number of recipients than SafeSend Signatures will typically permit. Once installed, you can create templates and mailing lists to deliver documents like engagement letters in bulk. The following video demonstrates how to create Mail Merge
templates and complete the Mail Merge
process. Refer to our Mail Merge Guide for additional information.- Open a Microsoft Word® document and selectSafeSend Signatures. For help with installing the add-in, refer to our Mail Merge Guide article.
- SelectE-Sign Action Centerto open the add-in.
- You can place signature fields on the document. The client will be prompted to perform an action on these fields, except the date field, which is auto-filled. Go to the page that requires client input.
- Select theSignature Placementtab in the SafeSend Signatures add-in.
- Select the signer from the dropdown.
- Place your cursor on the page where the field should be placed.
- Double-select to place in the field. The signature block is placed on the form and the client will be prompted to sign.
- Select the signature block to mark the signature as required. This checkbox is deselected by default.
- Continue to place fields for that signer as needed by placing your cursor in the correct location, then double-selecting the signature block option.
- Select any additional signers from the dropdown.
- Add signature blocks for additional signers the same way they were added for Signer 1.
- Follow the same steps to place fields like checkboxes.
- When a Data Field is added, select the block to open a tooltip window and enter a prompt for the client. They’ll be able to type into this field. Resize the block on the document to permit more text.
- Select theRequiredcheckbox to require the client to fill the field.
- You can also add merge fields to the document. Data is pulled from the CSV template to auto-fill those fields.
- Select theMail Mergetab.
- Place your cursor on the page where the merge field should be placed.
- Select themergefield to place it.
- SelectCreate Custom Merge Fieldsto add a new merge field.
- Enter a merge field name. Any spaces will be removed. No special characters are permited.
- SelectPlace Fieldto apply the new merge field.
- Once all signature and merge fields are placed, save the Microsoft Word® document.
- SelectCreate CSV Templateto generate a CSV file that includes headers for all of your merge fields. This CSV file is customized to match the Microsoft Word® template.
- Save the CSV template to your computer.
- SelectOK.
- Open the CSV file. The version number and column headers are generated from the Microsoft Word® file. The Version cell is required and should not be moved or edited.
- Don’t edit any of the column headers, even if the following cells will be left blank.
- Signer1EmailandTaxpayer Nameare required fields and must be filled. All other fields are optional and can be left blank. If a merge field is left blank, the space occupied by the field in the Microsoft Word® document is removed.
- There is no limit on the number of recipients that can be added, but the more recipients there are the longer the merge process will take.Mail Mergecan remain open in the background while the files are merged.
- Ensure fields that contain numbers are formatted correctly. Microsoft Excel® removes leading zeros by default, so some client IDs and ZIP Codes may be affected. Refer to our Leading Zeros in CSV Template article for more information.
- Once all recipient information has been entered, save and close the CSV file. Close the Microsoft Word® document as well.
- Open theMail Mergedesktop application.
- SelectCreate Document Templateto open Microsoft Word® and build a new template.
- SelectOpen Document Templateto upload an existing template. This opens a file browser where you can select the document.
- SelectCSV FILEto upload your completed CSV file. This opens a file browser where you can select the document.
- The uploaded document names are displayed following the upload options.
- SelectCheck Errorsto continue.
- If no errors are found, the Pre Merge Errors window is blank. If errors are found, they are described in the window. Correct any errors in the Microsoft Word® template and CSV file and upload the corrected documents. SelectMerge Filesto continue.
- The merge progress displays. This may take several minutes to complete depending on the number of documents being merged, but you can permit the program to work in the background.
- The Merged Documents List shows which documents and email addresses were recognized. Double-select a document name to preview it. SelectConfigurationto continue.
- TheMail Merge Configuration Optionsdisplay your default Signatures settings. SelectDocument Type,Expiry Date, orTax Yearto edit them.
- Select theSender Signing Orderif a Sender Signature block was included in the Microsoft Word® document.
- Select anOffice LocationandContact Person.
- Select aSigning Sequence. Parallel Signing allows all signers to sign at the same time. Custom Signing Sequence requires clients to sign in order. Signer 2 won’t receive an access link until Signer 1 completes signing.
- Select a message template from the dropdown, or create a new message by selecting the plus button.
- SelectAccess Code Requiredto add an additional layer of security. The document recipient must enter an access code sent to their email address before viewing or signing.
- SelectSend for Signatureto deliver the documents.
- The merge progress displays. This may take several minutes to complete depending on the number of documents being merged, but you can allow the program to work in the background.
- Once the items are sent, they appear in your Delivered report in Signatures.