Merge tools not working

Question

I can get Mail Merge to work, but when I try to use Merge-Tools to try and use Mail Merge with Attachments, the emails don't send. I followed the instructions and YouTube walkthroughs step by step, but I cannot figure out why this is not working.

The only forum talking about it said they fixed it because "The source file was missing some information."

....That does not tell me how to fix this, it only tells me what the issue was.

I need some help, please.

Answer 1

Hi @Alek Ruzic, 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Based on your description, you are experiencing issues with Merge Tools not sending emails when using mail merge with attachments. We truly recognize the importance of this functionality for your workflow and appreciate the effort you've invested in following instructions and tutorials. 

The issue is primarily caused by compatibility and configuration factors: Merge Tools depends on COM automation and VBA, which are not supported in the New Outlook for Windows, so it only works in Classic Outlook. Additionally, your data source must include complete and accurate file paths for each attachment; if any paths are incorrect, incomplete, or files are locked, the merge will fail. 

For your situation, please follow these steps: 

1. Confirm you are running Classic Outlook, not the New Outlook. If you see a “New Outlook” toggle in the upper right of Outlook, turn it off and restart Outlook. 
2. Verify your Excel or CSV data source includes columns for Email and attachment paths (e.g., Attach1, Attach2) with full, absolute paths like C:\Reports\Invoice123.pdf. Open a few attachments directly from these paths to verify access. 
3. In Classic Outlook, navigate to File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings → Programmatic Access, and ensure antivirus status is valid to allow automation. Adjust settings if necessary. 
4. Run a test merge with a small batch (3–5 recipients) to confirm everything works before scaling up. 
5. If you prefer to stay on the New Outlook, note that Merge Tools will not work there. Instead, consider alternatives like Power Automate or Outlook web add-ins that support mail merges with attachments. 

For your reference: Migrate from COM add-ins to web add-ins | Microsoft Learn 

Following these steps will help address the most common causes of Merge Tools mail merge failures with attachments by ensuring you are using compatible software, validating data source paths, and confirming Outlook security settings are configured correctly. 

According to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, a preview version of Mail Merge support in the New Outlook for Windows is currently scheduled to be added in January 2026. 

 

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.   

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If you have any updates regarding the issue, please feel free to share them with me. 

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments of this post so I can continue to support you. 

I look forward to continuing the conversation. 

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Answer 2

It seems you are encountering issues with the Mail Merge feature when trying to send emails with attachments. Here are some potential troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check the Source File: Ensure that your source file (e.g., Excel or CSV) is complete and contains all the necessary information. Missing fields or incorrect data types can cause issues during the merge process.
2. File Format: If you are using an Excel file as your data source, consider saving it in a different format. For instance, using a .xls or .csv file instead of .xlsx can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.
3. Permissions: Make sure you have the correct permissions to access the source file and send emails. If the file is stored in a shared location, ensure that it is not opened exclusively by another user.
4. Mail Merge Settings: Double-check your Mail Merge settings in Word to ensure that you have correctly configured the merge fields and that the attachment feature is properly set up.
5. Test with a Simple Merge: Try performing a simple Mail Merge without attachments to ensure that the basic functionality is working. If this works, gradually add complexity back in to identify where the issue arises.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider looking for specific error messages or behaviors that occur when you attempt to send the emails, as these can provide additional clues to the problem.

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References:

• Mail merge error when a data source is accessed by multiple users in Word
• Excel data doesn't retain its formatting in mail merge operations in Word