Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add CC or BCC Recipients to a Word Mail Merge

Huda Qurayshi Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need to include CC (carbon copy) or BCC (blind carbon copy) recipients when sending mass personalized emails via mail merge.

How to Add CC or BCC Recipients to a Word Mail Merge

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sending individual merged emails to a mailing list while automatically copying secondary contacts or tracking addresses.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not provide native CC or BCC fields during the standard email mail merge process.

Before you start

Before attempting any workarounds, ensure that your Microsoft Outlook desktop client is fully set up and configured as your computer's default email application.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a VBA Macro Script

Since native functionality is missing, utilizing a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro allows you to customize the mail merge to include CC and BCC fields programmatically.

This method requires a basic understanding of VBA. You will need to use a custom script that intercepts the mail merge process and routes it through Outlook, defining the .CC and .BCC properties along the way.

Open the VBA Editor

In Microsoft Word, press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to launch the Visual Basic for Applications editor.

Insert a New Module

Click on 'Insert' in the top menu and select 'Module' to create a blank workspace for your script.

Paste the Custom Script

Paste a trusted mail merge macro script (often found on official Microsoft community forums) that maps your Excel data columns to the Outlook CC and BCC fields.

Run the Macro

Save your code, return to your Word document, and run the macro to dispatch the customized emails through Outlook.

Macro Security: Always ensure you are using VBA scripts from trusted sources. Adjust your Word Trust Center settings to prompt you before enabling macros to protect your system.

Solution 2

Install a Third-Party Mail Merge Add-in

Several commercial and free add-ins specifically extend Word's mail merge capabilities to support CC, BCC, and custom attachments.

Solution 3

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

If you prefer a native solution without relying on scripts or third-party tools, providing feedback directly to Microsoft helps prioritize this feature for future software updates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put multiple addresses in the 'To' field instead of using CC or BCC?

Word's native mail merge usually expects one email address per merged record. While inserting semicolon-separated addresses in your data source may sometimes work for the 'To' field, this exposes all email addresses to all recipients, which does not solve the privacy requirement of a BCC.

Why doesn't Microsoft Word include CC and BCC in mail merge natively?

The built-in mail merge feature was originally designed for simple, individualized mass mailings. Advanced routing options like CC, BCC, and unique attachments have historically been omitted, leading users to rely on Outlook add-ins or custom VBA scripts.

Are there any free add-ins to enable CC and BCC in Word mail merge?

While there are a few open-source VBA scripts available for free on community forums, most dedicated, user-friendly add-ins that integrate natively into the Word Ribbon (like Mail Merge Toolkit) are commercial products requiring a license.

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