Mail merge using Windows Live Mail

[Johanna]

I have switched from using Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail, but now I'm
having problems with the mail merge in Publisher. It looks like it is
requiring OE as the email client for outgoing mail. How can I make the mail
merge function in Publisher use Windows Live Mail instead?

 

[Mary Sauer]

I know very little about Live Mail. There is a Connector. Read the article;
see if it is what you need.

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector overview
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA102225181033.aspx

 

[Johanna]

This is to use Outlook to manage email accounts - but I'm using Live Mail
instead of Outlook to manage email accounts. So Live Mail is the default
mail client on my laptop and opens up automatically when email client is
needed. However, I get an error when the mail merger in Publisher is trying
to access the default email client since it is looking for Outlook or OE.

I also have Windows Mail installed and made that the default client, but I
still get the error.

Johanna

 

[Mary Sauer]

Can you export your contacts to Excel, Access or some other data base? Even a
Word table.

 

[Johanna]

The email addresses are all in Excel as I'm trying to use the email merge
function.

The problem is when I try to select "Send email" from within the email merge
wisard, I get an error that I must install and configure Outlook or OE as the
default email client - however, I don't either.

However, I do have Windows Mail and Publisher Help states that Windows Mail
should work. So I made that my default email client but I still get the same
error.

 

[Ed Bennett]

I know very little about Live Mail. There is a Connector. Read the
article; see if it is what you need.

I think you're thinking of Windows Live Hotmail, formerly known as
Windows Live Mail.

Johanna is using Windows Live Mail, formerly known as Windows Live Mail
Desktop, the replacement for Windows Mail and Outlook Express. (Windows
XP shipped with Outlook Express, Vista shipped with Windows Mail, 7
ships without a mail client; on Vista and 7 at least, Windows Live Mail
can be installed as part of the Windows Live Essentials pack, along with
Live Messenger.)

Yes, this is confusing and Microsoft should really have chosen a unique
name rather than recycling one from a related and easily-confusable product!

Unfortunately, I have no idea whether Publisher works with Windows Live
Mail, or how to get it to do so if it doesn't by default. My gut
instinct would be "No" and "You can't", since Publisher is very picky
about which mail clients it works with.

Johanna, do you have Outlook available? (It needs to be the same version
as your Publisher version.)

 

[Johanna]

Basically, I have Vista which comes with Windows Mail - intended to replace
Outlook. However, I use Windows Live Mail as my mail client (i.e. the
desktop version) - but that was recommended as a replacement for Outlook
Express earlier this year.

So I was trying to use either of these as my email client when using the
email merge funciton in Publisher 2007 (function not available in 2003).
According to Help, Windows Mail is a valid option as your default email
client for the Publisher email merge function. However, I have tested that
Windows Mail is my default email client but Publisher does not recognize it -
always gives the error that it has to be Outlook or Outlook Express.

I have Office 2003, but downloaded trial verison of Publisher 2007 since the
email merge function is not available in Publisher 2003. So I have Outlook
2003, but Publisher 2007 does not work with Outlook 2003. Therefore, Outlook
does not work either!

 

[Mary Sauer]

The email merge is available in 2003. It very well could be your issues are
with the trial version.

Answer Box: Use e-mail contacts in Publisher mail merge
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011187801033.aspx

Troubleshoot mail merge in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HP030662451033.aspx

 

[Johanna]

In Publisher 2003 there is no email option in the mail merge.

Select Tools - Mail and Catalog Merge - Mail and Catalog Merge Wisard.
Select a merge type - "Mail Merge" or "Catalog Merge" - I selected Mail Merge.
Select data source - I have the contacts in Excel so I selected "Use an
existing list".
Found the data source.
Create you publication - I already have one.
Preview your publication - See the recipients and publication.
Complete the merge - "Print", "Create new publication", "Add to existing
publication" are the only options - no option to "Email".