[HOW TO MAIL MERGE PDF DOCUMENTS ]
What is a mail merge?
Mail merge is a computer term describing the production of multiple (and potentially large numbers of)
documents from a single template form and a structured data source. This technique is used to create
personalized letters, documents, bills and pre-addressed envelopes or mailing labels for mass mailings
(or document creation) from a database of names and addresses.
What do I need to start?
You need a PDF form (a PDF document with fillable fields) and a data file that contains records with
information that needs to be placed into the form. You can use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft
Access database or simply a plain text file. Let’s start from scratch and create a PDF form and a data file.
Step 1: How to create a PDF form?
PDF form is a special kind of PDF document that contains interactive fields where text information can
be entered or check boxes may be selected. You can create a PDF form from any PDF, word processor,
image file or a paper document. You will need to add fields to the regular PDF document using form
editing tools provided by Adobe Acrobat. Fields are interactive elements where user can either type text
or make a selection. If you already have a PDF document you want to use as a template, then select
“File > Open” menu and load this document into Adobe Acrobat:
If you have a Microsoft Word document, then either print it to a PDF printer or save it as PDF using
Microsoft Word "File" menu. You can also use “File > Create” menu in Adobe Acrobat to create a PDF file
from many popular file formats or by scanning a paper document.
Step 2: How to add fields to a PDF document?
We are assuming that you have already created a PDF document at this point and have it open in Adobe
Acrobat. The actual selection of steps depends on the version of Adobe Acrobat you are using. If you are
using older versions of Adobe Acrobat, then select “Form > Edit Fields…” (or similar) from the Acrobat
menu to start adding fields.