Cowles QuickMerge, included within the Trust Plus system, allows you to merge Cowles client and contact data with model documents to create letters, documents, envelopes, and labels within Microsoft Word. Sample letter, envelope, and label formats are included. In addition, the system allows you to edit these samples to your specifications, or to add new items. Use this feature to update your clients regarding new tax legislation, recommend a review of their estate plan, or print labels or envelopes for holiday cards.

The system is accessed from the Trust Plus "System" menu. Three tabs across the top of the QuickMerge window correspond to the types of actions you may want to perform. The first two tabs give you the ability to merge your client or contact data with various document models.

Merging data into documents requires only a few steps:

1. Select the Model: The "Select model" drop-down box displays items that are currently available to merge with your client or contact data. To get you started, the Cowles system contains a sample letter which includes merge codes for the name, address, salutation, and signature. The content may be edited manually once the documents are merged. To make permanent changes to the model, see Editing Existing Model Documents below. Sample envelope and label models are also included.



2. Select the Clients/Contacts: The system offers the ability to select individual clients or contacts to be merged with the model selected above by clicking the check box to the left of each record. Alternatively you may select all clients or contacts by clicking the "Select All" check box at the top of the list. This check box serves as a toggle between "Select All" and "Deselect All".



3. Merge Your Documents: After you have selected your model and the clients or contacts to be merged, click the "Create Merged Document" button. The Cowles system will launch Microsoft Word and will display your documents merged with your client data. The document may then be edited to your specifications and/or printed. It is recommended that your file be saved by clicking "File/Save As" within Word. Your changes will be saved within your Word document, but will NOT affect the original model.

Existing models may be edited permanently to reflect your needs for particular language. On the Tools tab select the model you want to edit from the "Existing model" drop-down menu and click the "Microsoft Word" icon to the right of that field. The system will launch Word, and the model will be displayed. After changes are made, the document must be saved in the current location and Word must be closed. Please note: Using this method to edit a model document will overwrite the content of the original model.

The Tools tab provides the ability to create new documents based on an existing model. By basing the new document on an existing document, the address information, salutation, and signature information will already be in place and only the content will need to be edited and saved.

Creating a new model based on the selected model requires only a few steps:

• Click on the Tools tab and select your "Merge source" - either client data or contact data.
• Using the drop-down menu, choose an existing model, such as the Sample Letter.
• Enter a new name for the model you are creating, such as Client Follow-up Letter, and click "Create a new model based on the selected model."
• The system will launch Microsoft Word, and your new model will be displayed.

Changes may now be made to the document, though it is not necessary to change the codes unless different merge information is needed. QuickMerge does provide the ability to merge various other data fields into your documents, such as email, phone number, and spouse name.

Once the changes are made, save your document to the current location and exit Word. If you save your document to a different location, the Cowles software will not be able to find your new changes, and the original document will be displayed in QuickMerge.

The new model (and the original model) will now be included within the drop-down box on the "Create Client Documents" or "Create Contact Documents" tab.

The new document will include any changes that were made previously and may now be used to create customized letters for all selected clients.

Call us today at (800) 366-1730, or email us at west.appsupport@thomson.com if you have any questions.