Transform Your Workflow
When your data isn't neatly standardized, you can spend hours manually working it into something usable.
- Data changes row-by-row - and that can make you feel like you either need to deal with it row-by-row, or spend time manually splitting up the data.
- Different data requires different formatting - and that can make you feel like you need to create a different template for each scenario.
If you're trying to manually work through this data to create reports and other documents .... You're wasting HOURS....and probably making mistakes.
You can automatically reorganize what's relevant into an easy-to-read format.
Using Mail Merge, you can get automated, perfectly formatted reports that adjust based on each row's data.
No more wasted time. Just clean, organized data at your fingertips.
Julian needed a more efficient way to process data submitted for committee review.
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
Mail Merge is the secret weapon you didn't know you had!
(It's not just for emails and form letters.)
Here's how it can solve your struggle:
- Create a template to organize and display your data exactly how you want it.
A single data-responsive template can be used to handle all of your data scenarios. You can even use data values to determine whether to display other text you only want to show under certain conditions.
Then, as many times as needed....
- Export (or otherwise get) your data into a CSV or spreadsheet.
- Hook your data up to the template and go!
Ready to get started?
This course will show you how.
Here's what creating a data-responsive document template can do for you:
Think of it like this: one template that adapts to your data - no matter how complex.
Without managing different templates or multiple datasets, you can accomodate scenarios like complex questionnaire branching, where respondents were able to skip around through your question sections or skip some altogether.
Simply put, it's a
- a single template document that
- contains IF-THEN style rules to determine what gets displayed - and how - BASED on each row's data. Those rules are usually in line with the different scenarios you were accommodating at the time of data collection.
Much like a a standard template, you'll still be able to plug values into data placeholders.
But now you'll also be able to do things like dynamically add your own annotations (e.g., instructions, different hyperlinks) to the final document based on each row's data, and only display what makes sense for each data entry.
What's inside this course?
This course is designed to get you up to speed FAST with bite-sized lessons that show you exactly how to implement Mail Merge to save time and get results.
- There are 2.5 hours of video, broken into 20+ bite-sized lessons, so you can watch exactly how everything is done. If content is updated or added to the course at a later date, you'll have access to that, too.
- You'll get a downloadable Quick Reference Guide (PDF) of the keyboard commands, date and number formats, and functions used in the course videos.
- If you don't have your own data to work with right now, don't worry! A data file is 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.
- Follow along with the videos to get hands-on practice opportunities with real-world examples - no fluff, just actionable skills.
Pick and choose what you need
-OR-
follow along with one of the projects from start to finish
to see how everything fits together.
Topics include:
(Use the preview buttons below to view sample lessons.)
Template Basics
- How data moves from your data file
into your template
- Connecting a data source to your template
(e.g., CSV file or 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
- Saving and distributing your filled template
Start to Finish: The Basic Project
PREVIEW → Basics Project Overview
Advanced Template Control
- 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
Start to Finish: The Intermediate Project
PREVIEW → Intermediate Project Overview
... and more!
Hi, I'm Barbara!
I've been a business consultant for over 15 years, working with a range of companies from Fortune 500s to solopreneurs.
What I've learned over the years is that everyone who works with data needs a customized solution somewhere along the line.
And it doesn't have to cost a ton of money.
The most impactful solutions I've been a part of have frequently been the ones that
- were so small that other consultants weren't willing to take on the job, and
- that used tools the business already had, like Microsoft Office.
Mail Merges are a perfect example.
Getting ROI out of this course is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Use secure checkout on Teachable to gain instant access to the course. (Teachable is where all of Blou Designs' courses are hosted.)
- Log In* whenever you want access to the lessons. Depending on your comfort level with Mail Merges ... Start working through the lessons in order, or jump directly to what you need.
- Use what you've learned to create and customize your very own data-responsive Mail Merge templates.
* You can use the Log In button in the header of this website to access the course, or go directly to BlouDesigns.Teachable.com and log in there.
Create templates that automatically adjust to your data - no more manual edits!
That's the power of a template that responds to your data on a row-by-row basis.
Build one master document template to handle all of your data scenarios.
Simply connect your data and go!
What's the investment?
This course is priced intentionally low to make sure that anyone who needs it can access it.
Who am I thinking of here? Professionals at all levels, who need to handle data from data dumps, spreadsheets, forms or surveys, but struggle to organize or review it efficiently.
For just $47 (U.S. Dollars), you'll get:
- 20+ bite-sized lessons
- Respect for your busy schedule - each video covers just one aspect of Mail Merge, so you can jump to exactly what you need
- A downloadable reference guide for all of the keyboard shortcuts, number formats, and date formats used in this course.
- Unlimited "Lifetime Access" so you can pop back in as needed for a refresher or to learn something new
- the ability to transform raw data into sorted, formatted, and organized documents and turn hours of repetitive work done in minutes.
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!
Is this course for me?
This course is designed for busy professionals who frequently handle data from forms or surveys, but struggle with organizing or reviewing it efficiently.
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 beautiful documents. No prior experience necessary!
If you've done Mail Merges before, you may benefit from the more advanced techniques that help you make your documents more responsive and adaptive to your data.
What software or other equipment do I need to complete the course?
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 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. Otherwise, closed captions are provided on all video content and you can follow along that way.
You talk about documents and reports. What if I need a dashboard or other analytics from this data?
Analytics and dashboards are not covered here. This course is focused on document/report creation only, and does not include any information on how to perform calculations across multiple records or on how to create data visualizations.
If you need to analyze your data with tallies, analyses, and pretty graphs, this course isn't for you. You might want to look for a course on Excel, Power BI, or Tableau.
If you need to make changes to your data and sync those changes back to your form/survey system, this course isn't for you. You might need a customized software solution that involves some coding to fill that gap.
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.