|
Quick Start Guide for
WorldMerge
version 4.1
Table
of Contents:
What's New
Version 4.1 contains the
following:
- Graphics can be embedded in HTML-formatted e-mail
- Database can be changed after project is created (with limitations)
- Main screen can be accessed without going through wizard
- Simplified Mail Server Settings configuration
- Prompts if the subject area is blank, or if attachment can’t be found
- Alternate Reply-To option available
- Keyboard commands available
- Improved error messages in Sent Items
- Faster sends
- Mail server authentication
- Direct Send for ISP's without outgoing mail servers
- Direct support for mailing lists in Outlook or Outlook Express
- HTML selection incorporated into wizard
- HTML preview
- Attachments possible with HTML formatted messages
- E-mail signature
- Spell check
- Merge fields insertable into subject area
- Improved reporting capabilities
Return to the Table of
Contents
CD
Installation
Insert the WorldMerge CD
into your CD-ROM drive to open the installation program.
Follow the instructions that appear on your screen to
complete installation. If the installation program does not
open automatically, you can start it yourself:
- Click Start
button>Settings>Control Panel
- Double-click
Add-Remove Programs (Windows Control Panel)
- Click Install on the
Add/Remove Programs dialog box.
- Follow the
instructions that appear on your screen to complete
installation.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Startup
To start the program
select: Start>Programs>WorldMerge>WorldMerge
Return to the Table of
Contents
Registration
The start-up window offers the
opportunity to register the product each
time you open until you do so. Your Key number is
provided with your CD.
Until you register you
will be using the evaluation version, which places a message
at the bottom of each e-mail you send informing the
recipient that the email was sent using WorldMerge; it also
tracks transmissions to control spam.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Configuration
Prior to sending mailings,
certain information must be provided. WorldMerge will open
any pop-ups that require your input. These can later be accessed
for review or change from the Settings menu.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Database Source
Files
Following is a partial
list of file types known to be compatible with WorldMerge.
Check that your source is compatible, or convert it to a
compatible form if needed, before starting your project.
Your source file may have up to 100,000 records.
It must contain a field identifying your contacts' e-mail address.
- Microsoft
Access
- Paradox
- Microsoft
Outlook Express
- Microsoft
Excel
- FoxPro
- TOP
Producer*
|
- DBase
- Eudora
Address Book
- ACT!*
- ODBC Data
Source
- Microsoft
Outlook Address Book
- Tab and comma
delimited text files
|
*Files identified with an
asterisk must be exported to text files. For details on how
to do this, see the complete User’s Guide on CD-ROM or
online.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Starting Your Mailing
Project: The Mailing Project Wizard
 The WorldMerge Project Wizard
leads you through the steps of a mailing project. When you
first start up, the wizard automatically begins; it can also
be accessed from the main window at any time from
File>New. Or, click on the new project button.
The wizard presents you
with a series of dialog boxes to help you complete your
project:
- Select HTML or Plain Text Message:
Select text unless you are familiar with writing HTML.
Only ASCII characters can be used in the message; use HTML
coding if you wish to control formatting and include images.
You can change your selection at any time in Message>Project
Options. See the complete manual for more information on HTML formatting.
- Selecting the
Database or Source File
Select a type of source file from the drop down menu.
Then type in the source's complete path and filename, or use the
Browse button to locate your file.
- Identifying the E-mail Address Field:
Of paramount importance to WorldMerge is the field with the
e-mail addresses of your recipients. In this step you identify
that field in your source file. You may be required to respond
to other interceding dialog boxes; for example, if your source
is an MS Excel file with multiple sheets, you will be asked to identify
which sheet has your contact information. If you are using a database
source file, you will be asked to identify the table or query that
contains the contact information.
- Finish:
Congratulations! When you see this dialog box, you can click Finish
and create your message in the Message tab of the mailing project window.
The project window is divided into three tabs, described below:
the Message tab, the Mailing List tab, and the Sent Items tab.
 Remember to save your work
now! Select File>Save, or use the Save button, to name
and save your project:
Return to the Table of
Contents
Message Tab
Click in the message area and type your message, or copy and
paste from another application. Use the tools in the Edit menu,
or Message>Spell Check to finalize your message.
Make sure your To field contains the field name that identifies
your contacts' e-mail addresses, and that the From field contains
your proper identification information.
 Insert Fields: Place your cursor where you
want to insert a field in your message and
select Message>Insert Merge Field, then select a
field from your source file from the drop down menu.
The field will appear in your message enclosed in double bracket: [[fieldname]]
Other ways to access your fields for insert are:
- Use the Insert Database Fields button
- Right-click in the message area
- Click the To, From, or Subject buttons to insert fields into
these text boxes.
 Attachments: Click on the Attach
button to identify up to 20 identical or customized attachments per recipient.
For customized attachments, the complete path and file name must be stored
in a field in your source file. The attachments diplay as either a path and
file name (for identical attachments) or as a field (for custom attachments)
in the Attach text box.
Preview Message: Select Message>Preview Message (or use the Preview Messages button)
to see what your e-mail message will look like to your recipients. Use the
navigation buttons to view the desired record. If your message is in HTML code,
you can then click on the HTML Preview button to launch your browser. Note that
any images referenced on a server will not be seen unless you are online.
Unselected and excluded recipients will be seen in preview, but not sent to at time of send.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Mailing List Tab
The source file you selected for this project appears on this screen;
it cannot be changed once the project is created.
Targeting Your
Recipients:
You may not want your message to go to all those in your mailing list.
Selected recipient records will have an envelope icon; unselected records
will not.
Manually select or unselect a recipient by clicking on the record,
or use the buttons provided. The Filter button allows you to select
records based on the fields in your source file.
Exclusion List:
Keep a list of individuals who have requested to be excluded from your
mailings by adding these addresses to the File>Exclusion List.
Type in the e-mail addresses to be excluded, such as jdoe@aol.com; or
entire groups can be excluded by entering generic entries, such as aol.com.
These addresses will be automatically excluded from all your mailings.
Return to the Table of
Contents
Sent Items Tab
 Select Send>Send Message to start
a send (or use the Send Message button). There are also options in the Send menu and on the
toolbar to Schedule a Send at a later time, or to Halt a mailing in progress.
Results of your send are posted to the Sent Items tab. If you schedule a send, make sure to
leave WorldMerge running and your Internet connection on.
Status markers are posted for each record sent: a red
X
means unsuccessful; a green check  means successful. Server responses are also displayed here.
To save your results, use the Save button on this tab screen, and make sure to name the
file with the project name and date for later identification.
Return to the Table of
Contents
More
Help
Refer to the complete
User’s Guide on your CD-ROM or online. Or visit ColoradoSoft's
Support
Form and describe
your problem; be sure to include the text of any error messages or server
responses posted to the Sent Items tab.
NOTE: The WorldMerge
User’s Guide is in Microsoft Word Format. You will need
Microsoft Word 97 or newer or Microsoft
Word 97 Viewer to
view the User's Guide.
Return to the Table of
Contents
|