The Course Meets You Where You're At
Mail Merge isn't just for form letters and mailing labels - it's a powerful tool for turning raw data into documents (i.e., for generating documents).
How does this course fit in? With video-based lessons to guide you.
Turn spreadsheet/CSV, form, and survey data into organized, formatted documents - without manually rebuilding them every time, or managing an unnecessary number of data files or templates.
- Learn at your own pace.
- Pick the projects and lessons that match the problem you need to solve - you don't have to complete the course in order.
So you can design templates that let you generate new documents from new data - in a matter of minutes and exactly how you want them to look.
Even One Lesson Can Make a Difference
This is a great resource and thank you for this video.
great examples!
Thanks Barbara, so far this is the most sophisticated video in dealing with several conditions at once in mail merge.
Exactly what I needed, thank you! Love the delivery & structure!
Which Document-Generation Problem Are You Solving?
There aren't levels of difficulty. There are different kinds of document-generation problems.
You can use the course however it makes sense for you. Mix and match lessons and techniques based on the kind of document you need to create, or follow one project from start to finish.
Use the preview buttons below to view sample lessons.
Project 1: One Layout for All Data
Maybe your data is relatively homogenous. Maybe you used logical branching (a.k.a. skip logic) in your data collection form, and now you've got some blanks to deal with.
The important part here is that your document layout - the headings and text around your data - will stay the same from row to row.
Lessons covered here include:
- Connecting a data source to your template
(e.g., CSV file or XLSX spreadsheet)
- Sort and filter which records to use in which order
(you don't have to prep this beforehand!)
- Template design and layout
- How field codes (e.g., data placeholders) work
PREVIEW → Field Code Basics
- Formatting dates
PREVIEW → Formatting Dates
- Formatting text
- Formatting numbers
- Adding a hyperlink from the data
Project 2: Different Layouts, One Template
When changes in your data mean you want the main structure of your document to change, too - e.g., some sections only appear when you've got the data to fill it - but the overall layout stays the same, this project will show you how to manage all of those variations from just one template.
In other words, only display what makes sense for each data entry.
Lessons covered here include:
- Use IF-THEN-ELSE logic to make your reports data-responsive
(this is a game changer!)
- how IF-THEN-ELSE works for conditionally displaying information
PREVIEW → Conditionals: IF-THEN-ELSE
- fields and their labels
- text blocks (e.g., instructions)
- entire document sections
- hyperlinks
- Using SKIPIF to skip entire records
- Calculations from a single record's data
Julian needed a faster way to turn form data into review packets.
This mail merge approach revolutionized the work of two committees I lead.
We needed to review anywhere between 10 and 60 submissions per meeting. Without having to buy anything new, I was able to create a more efficient process. I capitalized on questionnaire branching to streamline data collection. Mail Merge report templates sped up our ability to review that data, because I could quickly produce sorted and formatted review packets for each meeting. With the templates I created, I could generate new reports from new data in a matter of minutes, meaning it was easy to keep us up-to-date.
This approach eliminated hours of busywork. It also made better use of software I already had.
-- Julian, Director
Course Details
This isn't a course you need to complete from beginning to end before you can use what you learned.
This course is designed to get you up to speed fast with bite-sized lessons that show you exactly how to use Mail Merge to save time and get results.
What's Inside the Course?
Follow along with the videos to get hands-on practice opportunities with real-world examples - no fluff, just actionable skills
- 20+ bite-sized lessons - so you can easily watch (and rewatch!) just what you need, step-by-step
- A downloadable Quick Reference Guide (PDF) of all of the keyboard shortcuts, date and number formats, and formulas used in this course.
- There's a sample data file included so you can work along with the video instructions and know exactly what results you should be getting by the end of each lesson
- Unlimited "Lifetime Access" so you can pop back in as needed for a refresher or to learn something new
If content is updated or added to the course at a later date, you'll have access to that, too.
Your Investment: $47 (USD)
This course is priced intentionally low so that anyone who needs it can access it.
Hi, I'm Barbara!
I've been a business consultant for over 15 years, working with everyone from Fortune 500s to solopreneurs.
Over the years, I've learned that everyone who works with data eventually needs a customized solution.
And it doesn't have to cost a ton of money.
Some of the most impactful solutions I've been a part of have been the ones that
- were too small for other consultants (they weren't willing to take on the job!), and
- used tools the business already had, like Microsoft Office.
Mail Merge is a perfect example.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have access to this course - what does "Lifetime Access" mean?
As long as Blou Designs continues to offer this course on Teachable, and as long as you can log in to the Teachable account with which you enrolled for this course, you'll have unlimited access.
When does the course start?
This course is completely self-paced, so it starts whenever you're ready to start!
What software or other equipment do I need?
You need to be able to access your data in spreadsheet or CSV format. Most applications, including Qualtrics, Google Forms/Sheets, and Microsoft Forms, will let you download or export your data in this format.
You will need your own desktop license for Microsoft Word, version 2010 or newer; Mail Merge is not available for the online web app versions of Microsoft Word. Blou Designs will not supply you with a license to Microsoft Word as part of your enrollment.
Since this is a video-based course, you might want to use speakers and/or headphones. Closed captions are provided on all video content so you can follow along that way, too.
What if I need a dashboard or other analytics from this data?
This course focuses on document generation. It doesn't teach data analytics, dashboards, or changing/updating data in your original form or survey system.
Calculations covered in the course lessons assume that all data for the calculation can be retrieved from the same row of data.
Is there hands-on practice?
The sample data file provided with the course is the same one used to create the step-by-step videos, so you'll always be able to check your own steps against the demonstration.
What if my situation isn't exactly like one of the projects?
The projects supplied are just the vehicle used to demonstrate various ways to merge data into a document. Your situation might require that you pick and choose your way through the material to create the end product you need. Still, not every possible situation is covered by this course; if you're not sure, send me an email and ask.
Is this course for me? Do I need experience with merges?
Do any of these sound like you?
- You've inherited a workflow that uses Mail Merges and now need to understand what you've got and keep it up to date.
- You want to tweak or revamp your process using a tool you already have (so you're not adding to your tech stack).
- You're a busy professional who needs to turn data into documents or reports - to read, review, discuss, distribute, or keep for their records.
This course is especially useful if you need to work with data from:
- Forms
- Questionnaires
- Surveys
- CSV exports
- Excel spreadsheets
If you're completely new to Mail Merge, the projects will take you through all of the steps you need to go from raw data to professional-looking documents. No prior experience necessary!
If you've done Mail Merges before, you may benefit from jumping to just the lessons that apply to your own situation.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
No one benefits from unhappy clients! This course is designed to help you learn about the Mail Merge feature and give you hands-on skills to use it to free yourself from busywork - whether today or in the future. If this course isn't hitting that mark for you and you want "out", email me within the first 30 days of enrollment and you will receive a refund.
Are you affiliated with Microsoft?
Neither Blou Designs LLC nor this course is in any way affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft. This course was created independently to help folks take advantage of a powerful but frequently underutilized data processing tool to which many already have access.