WE NO LONGER ACCEPT MS EXCEL FILES! If your list is Excel, simply do "Save As" to CSV (MS-DOS) format; do not use CSV (Macintosh). CSV files can still be opened and be manipulated by Ms Excel. CSV is one of the most common file types for lists and all major spreadsheet applications including Google Sheets support this format. We highly recommend after saving your file in CSV format to close the file and open it again and make sure it looks correct.
- One list only: You must supply only one mailing list per order; additional fees will apply if you want us to consolidate multiple lists into one. ONLY include fields (columns) in your mailing list that are used in your print job. Delete all unnecessary fields before uploading your mailing list to eliminate errors and delays in your job.
- Acceptable file format: We only accept CSV (comma separated value) formats, the MS-DOS version and NOT the Macintosh version. Visit our Google apps page if you do not have an application to create this format file.
- Field length: Field length cannot exceed 75 characters; anything beyond the 75th character is deleted. This 75 character limit includes everything such as spaces or any special characters such as commas or periods. This is the length of the data inside the column/field.
- Header names not allowed: You can not use the words County, Lot and Entry for your header names. Modify your header name slightly if you have fields requiring such names. E.g. call your COUNTY header, PCOUNTY.
Header: The first row of your list must contain the header for your fields. The header is the title for each one of your fields; for instance, "FIRST" is the header for the field containing your first names. Each field must have its own header and they must be unique. For instance, you can NOT have two headers called "FIRST". Your Header cannot be any longer than 10 characters.
Example of a list (CSV files can be opened & manipulated in Excel application)
Recommended header name | Field description |
First | First name |
Last | Last name |
Initial | Middle name |
Name | Full name, First, Last and middle names combined |
Prefix | Prefix before the name, for instance, Mr. |
Suffix | Suffix after the name, for instance, Jr or III |
Company | Company name |
Address | Street address. If your address includes a secondary address such as apartment or suite number, then it is preferred to include it in this field but you can also have it in 'Address2' |
Address2 | Optional; you can keep the second part of your address separated in this field, for instance, apartment number |
City | City name, for mailing |
State | State name. Must be abbreviated to two characters. |
Zip | Zip code. This can be five digit or nine-digit ZIP code, if 9 digit ZIP code you must use a dash after five characters (for instance 90021-1421). Make sure this is a text field so zeros are not eliminated in the beginning of the ZIP code |
ID | Your ID number (optional) |
Salutation | This can be anything you decide |
Country | Country name. Leave blank if United States. |
PAdress | Property street address. This is not the mailing address. |
PAdress2 | Property street address 2. This is not the mailing address. |
PCity | Property city. This is not the mailing city. |
PState | Property state. This is not the mailing state. |
Pzip | Property zip. This is not the mailing zip. |
How to split your fields
Address field: You must have separate fields for:
- street address
- street address2 (unit/suite number); this is an optional field and can be combined with the 'street address' field above
- city
- state (abbreviated)
- zip code
Name field: We highly recommend having the first, last and middle name in separate fields but it is not required. If your first, last and middle name are combined in one field, then you will not be able to use only one part of the name in your letter by itself. For instance, if the entire name is combined in one field, you cannot use the first name only for salutation. We may be able to split your names for an additional fee.
Capitalization:Only the capitalization on your mailing address is modified to "initial cap". This helps the mail piece look less like a junk mail and "initial capped" text occupies less space on the mail piece vs. "all capped" text. The capitalization on all other fields is left unchanged.