How Do You Make Address Labels From a Microsoft Database?

Host your address list on any one of three Microsoft database products, and you will never have to type your address labels again. Microsoft SQL Server is a fully featured database program, which is designed to run on a server class machine. Microsoft SQL Server Express is a free, scaled-down product that will run on small business class servers and on Microsoft Windows desktop computers. Microsoft Access can be purchased as a stand-alone application or with one of the Microsoft Office suites. Access is normally used on Windows desktop computers, but you can install it on a Microsoft Windows server.

Instructions

1. Create an ODBC connection to the database, which holds your address list. Select the "SQL Server" or "Native SQL Client" drivers to connect to a Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft SQL Server Express database. Select the "Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb, *.accdb)" to connect to a Microsoft Access database.

2. Create address labels in Microsoft Word by using the "Mail Merge Wizard." Access the "Mail Merge Wizard" under "Tools," "Letters and Mailings" and "Mail Merge Wizard" in Word 2003 and older versions. Select the "Start Mail Merge" icon and group under the "Mailings" ribbon in Word 2007 and newer versions. The wizard will take you through the steps to connect to your address list database.

3. Link to external data in Access, or create your report in the same Access database that holds your address list table. Click on "New" in the "Reports" section to start the "Label Wizard" in Access 2003 and older versions. Choose "Labels" from the "Reports" group in the "Create" ribbon in Access 2007 and newer versions.

References

• Microsoft Office Online: Create Mailing Labels in Access
• Microsoft Office Online: Create and Print Labels for a Mass Mailing
• Microsoft Office Online: Word Mail Merge: A Walk through the Process