To use an Avery template in Word, go to Mailings > Labels and click Options. Set Label vendors to Avery US Letter (or Avery A4/A5), choose your Avery product number from the list, like 5160 or 8160, and click OK. Then click New Document to get a full sheet of labels laid out to match your Avery paper. The product number is printed on the Avery package.
You can also download Avery’s own Word templates from avery.com. Here’s each method, plus how to fill labels from a mailing list.
Method 1: Use Word’s built-in Avery templates
- Open Word and click the Mailings tab.
- Click Labels, then Options.
- Under Label vendors, choose Avery US Letter.
- Select your product number and click OK.
- To print the same text on every label, type it in the Address box and click New Document. To type different text on each label, leave the box empty and click New Document.
Word creates a table where each cell is one label. Turn on Table Design > View Gridlines (or Layout > View Gridlines) to see the label edges while you type.
Method 2: Download a template from Avery
- Go to avery.com/templates and search for your product number.
- Choose the Microsoft Word template and download it.
- Open the file in Word and type in each label.
Avery also offers Avery Design & Print, a free online designer with more layouts and images.
Method 3: Make labels from a mailing list
- On the Mailings tab, click Start Mail Merge > Labels, choose your Avery product, and click OK.
- Click Select Recipients > Use an Existing List and choose your Excel file or contacts.
- Click Address Block to add the address fields to the first label.
- Click Update Labels to copy the layout to every label.
- Click Preview Results, then Finish & Merge > Edit Individual Documents or Print Documents.
Printing tips
- Print a test page on plain paper and hold it behind the label sheet to check alignment.
- Set the printer’s paper type to Labels, and print at 100% scale.
- Load sheets in the direction your printer shows for labels.
Related: How to Make Business Cards in Microsoft Word.
Related: Apply a template to an existing Word document.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the Avery product number?
It’s printed on the package, usually on the front, like “5160” or “8160.”
What if my product number isn’t listed?
Update Office, or download the template from avery.com. You can also click New Label in Label Options and enter the measurements from the package.
Are 5160 and 8160 the same size?
Yes. Both are 1 x 2⅝ inch address labels, 30 per sheet. 5160 is for laser printers and 8160 for inkjet printers.
Can I use Avery templates in Word for Mac?
Yes. Go to Mailings > Labels > Options and choose Avery the same way.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.