2008-08-18

How to ACTUALLY use Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Mail Merge feature in Microsoft Word

After a big fight between me, MS Dynamics CRM 4.0 and Microsoft Word I guess I finally figured out how I can actually use the Mail Merge feature.


This is my own “How to create a working Word mail merge template for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0”:

  1. Open up your Outlook CRM enabled client (Very important! Mail merge over the web won’t work!) ;

  2. Go to Microsoft Dynamics CRM > Settings > Templates > Mail Merge Templates > New;

  3. Type a Name, Select an Associated Entity (like Opportunity) and a Template Language (like Portuguese);


  1. Hit [Save] and you will be warned that you need to attach a Word XML file;

  1. Create and save a blank Word XML file where you will list and test the selected associated entity’s fields (attributes) you wish to use in your Mail Merge;

  2. Attach this dummy Word XML file to your new Mail Merge template;

  1. Now you have to [Edit Template in Word];

  1. When prompted by word hit [Ok] (we don’t need data for building the template so you do not need to worry about it being blank);

  1. Hit the button under the mouse (Insert fields for… something in English);


  1. Choose the field(s) you need (I chose “Tópico” for this example);

  1. Add your text (I added some text before and some text after);


  1. Save the document (XML word document) and close Word. If prompted choose to [Stop] current mail merge activity;

  1. Go to the new Mail Merge Document windows and [Remove] the Word dummy file you had already attached (…v00.xml);

  1. Attach the new XML Word document (…v01.xml) and [Save] your new Mail Merge Document;

  1. Go to Microsoft Dynamics CRM > Sales > Opportunities, select one of your opportunities and hit the Mail Merge Icon (highlighted);

  1. Choose the Template Language, the Mail Merge type and your personal mail merge template (the one you have created before) before you hit the [OK] button;


  1. As soon as Word opens you will be prompted to confirm the displayed data and you should hit [OK] (You can add or remove fields using the [Data fields] button. However, if you wish to do it permanently you should change the Data Fields settings for your Mail Merge Template under Settings > Mail Merge Templates.);

  1. You will be shown your word template with no data. It’s ok!


  1. Choose the Next Step (down right corner) which should state something like View Your Letter...


  1. Check the document (letter) and notice that the dynamic field was replaced by the opportunity’s data (<<Tópico>> became “Teste”);

  1. Move on to Next something like Finish Mail Merge;


  1. And then choose the Print option (Imprimir in portuguese). ;


  1. You will be prompted to Create or Not a related (letter) activity in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. You if want to keep a copy of your document as an activity (letter) note you should choose to create the (letter) activity. You can also check the [Activity Details].

  1. If you chose to create the activity you should take a look at it. Don’t forget to check the notes for the mail merge file.


  1. And you’re finally done!

  2. Bonus: after you create this Mail Merge Template using on your CRM Outlook Client you will be able to use the template outside the Outlook Client (web).

  3. And that’s how you actually create a working Microsoft Word Mail Merge Template for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

6 comments:

  1. Sergio,

    Great post! I've been playing around with it via the Web client and was tearing my hair out. Using Outlook is much much easier.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for this excellent piece of information. I have spent hours looking for this and that trying to do it through the Web Client. All solved in a little under 3.5 minutes following your directions. Thank you again. James

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 13, 2009

    Thanks so much for the information. I was struggling for so time before I found your post.
    Cheers
    Charles

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 18, 2009

    You mention, changing the default data fields. Can you explain how to do that. I do not see that option when I go to the Mail Merge Template entity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry... Didn't quite understand your question. And to be honest I'm not working with MS Dynamics CRM no more so I can't check it out for you... Regards, Sergio.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the posts we are professional web design and development company offering an array of services like template customization, web designing, CMS solutions, eCommerce solutions, Search engine optimizationand Internet marketing.
    crm sales

    ReplyDelete