Formatting Issues

How to Format Indian Lakhs in a Word Mail Merge

WPS Content Manager Sep 28, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to display numerical data using the Indian numbering system (e.g., 25,00,000 instead of 2500000) within a Word Mail Merge document.

How to Format Indian Lakhs in a Word Mail Merge

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Performing a mail merge with numerical data that requires standard Indian comma placement (Lakhs and Crores).
Observed behavior: Word displays the numbers in the standard unformatted format or Western grouping, as there is no built-in field code to natively support the Indian numbering system.

Before you start

Verify that your original numerical data in your spreadsheet is accurate and check whether you have access to modify the source data file, as most solutions require formatting the data before merging.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to Keep Source Formatting

Connecting Word to your Excel data source via DDE forces the mail merge to read and display the exact number formatting applied in your spreadsheet.

By default, Word pulls the raw, unformatted data from Excel. By switching the connection method to DDE, Word will respect the custom Lakh format you have already set up in your Excel spreadsheet.

Enable format conversion confirmation

In Microsoft Word, go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Advanced'. Scroll down to the 'General' section and check the box for 'Confirm file format conversion on open', then click 'OK'.

Select your data source

Navigate to the 'Mailings' tab, click 'Select Recipients', and choose 'Use an Existing List'. Locate and select your Excel data file.

Choose the DDE connection

A 'Confirm Data Source' dialog box will appear. Check the 'Show all' box, select 'MS Excel Worksheets via DDE (*.xls)', and click 'OK'.

Complete the merge

Insert your merge fields as usual. When you preview the results, the numbers will display in the Indian Lakh format exactly as they appear in Excel.

Use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to Keep Source Formatting

Connection Prompts: When using DDE, Excel may open in the background, and you might receive a prompt asking for permission to access the data. Simply agree to proceed.

Solution 2

Format Numbers as Text in Excel Before Merging

Convert your numerical data into formatted text within Excel using a formula so Word reads the exact string containing the correct comma placement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the standard numeric picture switch in Word work for Indian Lakhs?

Word's standard numeric formatting switches (such as \# "#,##0") are designed for Western numbering systems, which group numbers by three digits (thousands, millions). The system cannot natively group numbers by two digits for Lakhs and Crores.

Will converting my numbers to text in Excel affect my formulas?

If you use the TEXT formula in a separate helper column, your original numerical data remains completely intact and functional for calculations, while the new text column safely provides the Lakh format for your Word Mail Merge.

Can I request Microsoft to add native support for the Lakh format in Mail Merge?

Yes, you can submit feedback directly through Microsoft Word by navigating to Help > Feedback. Requesting native field code support for the Indian numbering system helps developers prioritize future feature updates.

Document & File Issues