Fix The Greyed Out Mail Merge Button for Word on Mac

This article explains how to restore the “Merge to Email” option in Microsoft Word for Mac when it is greyed out. The issue is typically caused by macOS Mail settings not being properly associated with the user’s Microsoft Exchange account. It provides steps to configure the Mail app, set Microsoft Outlook as the default email reader, restart Word and Outlook, and remove the Exchange account from Mail afterward if needed.

Mail Merge: “Merge to Email” Option Greyed Out in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word on Mac, the “Merge to Email” option may be greyed out and unavailable.

The issue occurs when the Mac's default mail configuration is not properly associated with the user's Microsoft Exchange account.

The necessary settings are managed through the macOS Mail app. These settings are not available until the user has signed into an account through the Mail app.

We can resolve this issue by by:

• Logging into the Mail app on Mac with any email address.
• When prompted to choose which apps can use the account, select only Mail.
• Once logged in, In the Mail app, click Mail in the menu bar.
• Then Settings
• Then change the default email reader to Microsoft Outlook
• Restart Word and Outlook
• Open Outlook, then Word
• When opening or starting a mail merge, the “Merge to Email” option should now be available.

Sign out of the Mail app:

1. Open the Mail app.
2. Select Mail > Settings from the menu bar.
3. Click Accounts.
4. Select the Exchange account.
5. Click the Remove (-) button.
6. Confirm that you want to remove the account.

If macOS indicates that the account is being used by other apps, it may open System Settings > Internet Accounts.

1. Select the Exchange account.
2. Choose Delete Account.
3. Confirm the removal.
4. Quit the Mail app.