Sequentially numbering multiple copies of single document using a mailmerge

Article contributed by Dave Rado

Create an Excel spreadsheet and:

  1. In cell A1 type Number
  2. In cell A2, type 1 (or whatever number you need the sequence to start from), in cell A3 type 2 (or the next number up if you didn't start at 1); select the two cells simultaneously and use AutoComplete to fill in the remaining cells you need, so that the sequence ends with the number you want it to.
  3. In your Word document, select Tools + Mailmerge. 
  4. Click on the Create button, select Form Letters and then Active Window.
  5. Click on the Get Data button, select Open Data Source and then find and select the spreadsheet you've just created; then select Entire Spreadsheet, and finally, Edit Main Document.
  6. The Mail Merge Toolbar will now be visible. Click in the document where you want the sequential number to go, then click on Insert Merge Field button on the toolbar, and select the Number field.
  7. Click on the Merge button, and as they say, Bob's your Uncle!

See also Sequentially numbering multiple copies of single document using a macro and Creating sequentially numbered documents (such as invoices).