> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.slant.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mail merge

> Generate printed letters, envelopes, and labels by filling a Word template with household data.

Mail merge fills a Word template with each household's data and combines the results into a single Word document you can print and mail. Use it for client letters, envelopes, mailing labels, and any printed correspondence.

You upload a `.docx` template once, then run the merge from any client or prospect — or in bulk from the list — and download the filled document.

## Upload a template

Templates live under **Settings** → **Data customizations** → **Mail merge**. Each book has its own templates, and admins can also upload company-wide templates that every book can use.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the mail merge settings">
    Go to **Settings** → **Data customizations** → **Mail merge**. Switch to the **Company** tab to manage company-wide templates, or the book tab to manage templates only that book uses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Upload template">
    Pick a `.docx` file from your computer. Slant scans the document for merge fields and uploads it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the merge fields">
    The template appears in the **Templates** list with the merge fields it found. A warning icon indicates any unrecognized fields — fix the typo in your Word document and re-upload.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Letters, envelopes, and labels all share the same flow — page size, margins, and layout come from your Word document itself.

<Note>
  Only admins can upload, rename, or delete templates on the **Company** tab. Anyone with access to a book can manage that book's templates.
</Note>

### Rename or delete a template

Open the **⋯** menu on any template row to **Rename** or **Delete** it. Deleting a template also removes any past merge runs that used it.

## Write merge fields

In your Word document, type merge fields as `{{field.name}}` — exactly as shown in the **Merge fields** reference on the mail merge settings page. Hover the info icon next to any field for an example value.

Common fields include:

* **`{{household.greeting}}`** — the household members' preferred names joined with `&` (for example, "John & Jane"). It doesn't include a lead-in like "Dear," so add that yourself in your template: `Dear {{household.greeting}},`
* **`{{household.address_block}}`** — a multi-line mailing address suitable for the top of a letter or an envelope
* **`{{household.name}}`** — the household's display name
* **`{{household.head_of_household.full_name}}`** — full name of the head of household
* **`{{household.head_of_household.salutation}}`**, **`{{household.partner.salutation}}`** — formal salutations
* **`{{household.last_meeting_date}}`**, **`{{household.next_meeting_at}}`** — meeting dates
* **`{{current_date}}`** — today's date in the book's timezone (for example, "June 19, 2026") — useful for letterheads and dated correspondence

The full reference on the settings page lists every supported field for the head of household, spouse, partner, and household.

<Tip>
  Open the **Merge fields** section to see sample values for each field, rendered from a sample "John & Jane Doe" household — no real client data is used. Copy the field text directly from the reference to avoid typos.
</Tip>

## Run a merge for one household

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the household">
    Go to any client or prospect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Mail merge">
    On the **Overview** tab, click **Mail merge** in the **Quick actions** widget. If you don't see it, click the gear in the widget header and turn on **Mail merge**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a template">
    Choose a template, then click **Run mail merge**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the document">
    When the merge finishes, click **Download document** to save the filled `.docx` file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Run a merge in bulk

You can fill one template against many households in a single run.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select households">
    On the **Clients** or **Prospects** page, select the households you want to mail to.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Mail merge">
    In the selection bar at the bottom, open the more menu and choose **Mail merge**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a template and run">
    Choose a template and click **Run mail merge**. Slant generates one `.docx` file containing a filled copy of the template for each household — ready to print.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Mail merge isn't available when you're viewing **All books** — pick a specific book first.
</Note>

## Recent runs

The book tab on **Settings** → **Data customizations** → **Mail merge** lists every merge run for that book under **Recent runs**, with the template name, the user who started it, the number of households, and a **Download** button to retrieve the document again. Runs that failed or surfaced merge field warnings are flagged here so you can fix the template and re-run.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What file format are templates and outputs?">
    Templates and outputs are both `.docx` (Microsoft Word). Open the result in Word, Google Docs, or any compatible editor before printing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if a household is missing data for a merge field?">
    Empty values render as blank text in the document. Slant lists any households with missing or unresolved fields as warnings on the merge run so you can review before printing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I send the merged document by email instead of printing it?">
    No. Mail merge is for printed mail. For email outreach to many households, use [bulk email](/records/bulk-email) or [sequences](/platform/sequences/overview).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Who can run a mail merge?">
    Anyone with access to the households being mailed. Only admins can upload company-wide templates, but any user can run a merge with an existing template.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Bulk email" icon="mail" href="/records/bulk-email">
    Send the same email to many clients or prospects at once
  </Card>

  <Card title="Document filler" icon="file-pen" href="/records/households/document-filler/overview">
    Auto-fill PDF forms with household data
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data customizations" icon="database" href="/account-settings/customization/data-customizations">
    Manage templates, pipelines, and other firm settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>