Printing Problems

How to Fix Outlook Contact Selection for Avery 8160 Labels in Word

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to select Outlook contacts from the drop-down menu when trying to print a single Avery 8160 label in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix Outlook Contact Selection for Avery 8160 Labels in Word

Product: Word for Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to insert an Outlook contact into the address field of the Envelopes and Labels dialog to print a single Avery 8160 label.
Observed behavior: The drop-down arrow in the label dialog fails to open the Outlook contact picker, preventing contact selection. Repairing or reinstalling Office does not resolve this interface glitch.

Before you start

Ensure that both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook are installed on your computer, you are signed into the same Microsoft 365 account on both applications, and Outlook is set as your default email client.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Direct Contacts Icon in the Label Dialog

Bypass the malfunctioning drop-down arrow by clicking the dedicated 'Insert Address' icon, which correctly launches the Outlook contact picker.

This specific issue is a known interface glitch in certain builds of Word for Microsoft 365. Because it is an interface bug rather than a corrupted installation file, standard troubleshooting steps like reinstalling or repairing Office usually do not work. Clicking the direct icon provides an immediate workaround.

Open the Labels dialog

Launch Microsoft Word. Navigate to the 'Mailings' tab on the ribbon and click on 'Labels' in the Create group to open the Envelopes and Labels dialog box.

Verify label settings

Click the 'Options' button to ensure your label vendor is set to 'Avery US Letter' and the product number is set to '8160', then click OK.

Locate the Contacts icon

In the 'Address' section of the Labels tab, look for the small 'Insert Address' icon (which looks like a small address book) located immediately next to the drop-down arrow.

Click the icon directly

Click the 'Insert Address' icon directly instead of clicking the drop-down arrow. This will successfully open the 'Select Name' dialog box, allowing you to choose your desired Outlook contact.

Use the Direct Contacts Icon in the Label Dialog

Problem Solved: By interacting directly with the icon, you force Word to call the Outlook address book service without relying on the faulty drop-down menu script.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Label Printing and Mail Merge

If Microsoft Word continues to experience dialog glitches or frustrating bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with robust, built-in tools for creating, formatting, and printing labels without the hassle.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to the 'References' or 'Mailings' tab depending on your layout.
3. Use Mail Merge: Click 'Mail Merge' to easily import your data source and print perfectly aligned labels without interface glitches.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx) and standard Avery label templates.Intuitive Mail Merge feature for effortlessly printing single or bulk address labels.Free, lightweight, and installs in seconds without heavy system requirements.Familiar tabbed user interface, ensuring a smooth, zero-learning-curve migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't repairing Microsoft Office fix the label dialog issue?

This specific issue is a localized interface glitch in the Word for Microsoft 365 build, rather than a corrupted core installation. Using the direct Contacts icon bypasses the faulty drop-down menu UI, which is why a full repair isn't necessary or effective.

Can I use other address books besides Outlook for Avery labels in Word?

Yes. Instead of using the Envelopes and Labels dialog for a single label, you can use the 'Start Mail Merge' feature in the Mailings tab. From there, select 'Labels', and then click 'Select Recipients' to choose an existing Excel list, CSV file, or Access database.

How do I ensure my Avery 8160 labels print perfectly aligned?

Before printing, verify that the paper size in your printer settings exactly matches the label sheet (US Letter). More importantly, ensure that page scaling is set to 'Actual Size' or '100%' rather than 'Fit to Page' or 'Scale to Fit' in your printer properties.

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