How to Print Labels From Excel

Tricia Goss has been a writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.

Updated on April 5, 2022

What to Know

This guide explains how to create and print labels from Excel using the mail merge feature in Microsoft Word. Instructions apply to Excel and Word 2019, 2016, and 2013 and Excel and Word for Microsoft 365.

How to Print Labels From Excel

You can print mailing labels from Excel in a matter of minutes using the mail merge feature in Word. With neat columns and rows, sorting abilities, and data entry features, Excel might be the perfect application for entering and storing information like contact lists. Once you have created a detailed list, you can use it with other Microsoft 365 applications for numerous tasks.

Person making labels with Excel

Prepare the Worksheet and Enter the Data

To make mailing labels from Excel, you need to add descriptive column headings so everything prints out correctly. For example, you might have the following column headings:

Prepare Excel Worksheet - Headings

  1. Type in a heading in the first cell of each column describing the data. Make a column for each element you want to include on the labels.

Make sure each item is in the correct column. Avoid leaving blank columns or rows within the list.

Enter the data in Excel

Set Up Labels in Word

Next, you need to choose the size and type of the labels you're printing.

  1. Open a blank Word document.

Mailings in Word

Go to the Mailings tab.

Choose Start Mail Merge >Labels. Labels" width="1089" height="683" />

Confirming label options

Click OK when you are ready to proceed.

Connect the Worksheet to the Labels

Before performing the merge to print address labels from Excel, you must connect the Word document to the worksheet containing your list. The first time you connect to an Excel worksheet from Word, you must enable a setting that allows you to convert files between the two programs.

Doing a mail merge in Word.

  1. In Word, click File.

The Options command

Scroll down, and select Options at the bottom of the left pane.

The Advanced tab and General section

Click Advanced in the left pane of the Word Options window and then scroll down to the General section.

confirm file format conversion

Make sure the Confirm file format conversion on open is selected and click OK.

The Use an Existing List command

From Mailings, in the Start Mail Merge group, choose Select Recipients >Use an Existing List.

Add Mail Merge Fields and Perform the Merge

After you've organized the data, you need to add mail merge fields before you can complete the merge. This is where those headings you added to your Excel worksheet will come in handy.

  1. Click on the first label on the page and then select Address Block in the Write & Insert Fields section of the Mailings tab.

Match Fields in Excel

Click the Match Fields button on the Insert Address Block dialog box that appears.

Make sure your headings correspond with the required fields. If any of them are incorrect, use the drop-down arrow beside it to match up to the correct field.

Finish merge to make labels from Excel

Click Edit Individual Documents to preview how your printed labels will appear. Select All >OK.

How do I label an axis in Excel?

To label chart axes in Excel, select a blank area of the chart, then select the Plus (+) in the upper-right. Check the Axis title box, select the right arrow beside it, then choose an axis to label.

How do I label a legend in Excel?

To label legends in Excel, select a blank area of the chart. In the upper-right, select the Plus (+) > check the Legend checkbox. Then, select the cell containing the legend and enter a new name.

How do I label a series in Excel?

To label a series in Excel, right-click the chart with data series > Select Data. Under Legend Entries (Series), select the data series, then select Edit. In the Series name field, enter a name.

How do I apply label filters in Excel?

To apply filters to a pivot table in Excel, select the Column Labels down-arrow to open the filter's drop-down list, uncheck Select All, then choose your desired filters.