About filtering and sorting in Mail Merge

Filtering allows you to merge a subset of records from your total data source. This differs from sorting, which allows you to merge your data in a particular order.

Filtering

You can use a filter in two ways:

The filter that you apply to the results of your mail merge doesn't affect your Publisher address list, nor does a filter you apply to your Publisher address list affect the results of your mail merge.

Sorting

Sort to change the following:

Note   The filters and sort orders do not permanently change your data source or mail merge.