Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Merging and Printing.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 16, 2017)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
In the previous tip you learn how to check your data file against your master document to make sure Word could read both and merge them correctly. The next step is to actually merge your main document and data file to create the finished, merged documents. Word allows two different ways of doing this: you can merge to a new document, or you can merge directly to the printer.
Which method should you use? It depends on your comfort level with your final document. If you are fairly certain that your main document is set up properly and there is little chance for errors, then you can print directly to the printer. If, on the other hand, you may need to make some last minute changes before printing or you just want to see what the final output will look like, then you should print to a new document.
To merge directly to the printer, click your mouse on the Merge to Printer tool on the Mail Merge toolbar. To merge to a new document, click your mouse on the Merge to New Document tool. Both of these tools are right next to each other, and just to the right of the Check For Errors tool described in the previous tip.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1862) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Merging and Printing.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
Setting up a Word mail merge to combine a data source with a merge document is easy. But what if you want to use two data ...
Discover MoreWhen creating a mail merge document, you use merge fields to indicate where the information from each record of your data ...
Discover MoreWhen you create a mail merge document, you attach it to a data source that is the basis for the information to be merged ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments