Keeping track of deliveries can be a hassle, especially if you’re handling many orders at once. Typing out every address, contact name, product list, or delivery date over and over again is not just tiring, it’s also a recipe for errors.
That’s where ActiveMerge steps in. With just a few clicks, you can generate clean, accurate delivery manifests from your spreadsheet data automatically.
Why Is a Delivery Manifest Important?
A delivery manifest is like a roadmap for your logistics team. It shows what needs to be delivered, where it’s going, who’s receiving it, and any other notes the driver might need.
Without it, things can go wrong fast: missed deliveries, incorrect items, or unhappy customers. A good manifest keeps your operations organized, builds trust with clients, and helps your delivery staff get the job done right the first time.
Step 1: Prepare Your Spreadsheet
Start by opening a Google Sheet (or Excel) with all your delivery info. This should include columns like:
- Customer Name
- Address
- Contact Number
- Order Number
- Delivery Date
- Notes for Driver
Make sure your headers are clear and consistent. ActiveMerge reads these to fill in the delivery manifest automatically.
Step 2: Set Up Your Manifest Template
You’ll need a document template that shows how your delivery manifest should look. You can create it in Word format. Place tags in the document that match the column headers in your spreadsheet. For example:
- Customer Name: {Customer Name}
- Delivery Address: {Address}
- Order Number: {Order Number}
These curly brackets tell ActiveMerge where to insert your spreadsheet data.
Step 3: Go to ActiveMerge
Go to app.activemerge.com and log in. If you’re new, signing up only takes a minute. Once you’re in, head to your dashboard and click “Start New Job” to begin.
Step 4: Upload Your Data
Choose the spreadsheet you prepared earlier and upload it straight from your device.
ActiveMerge will match your spreadsheet data with your template tags.
If you’re using Google Spreadsheets, remember to download the file as a Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format since Activemerge only supports this format.
Step 5: Upload Your Template
Upload your Delivery Manifest template. ActiveMerge will detect your merge tags automatically.
You’ll see a preview of the template, and the tags will be listed. Make sure they match your spreadsheet column names.
Step 6: Click “Preview First Document”
Click the “Preview First Document” button, and ActiveMerge will handle the rest. It pulls data from each row of your spreadsheet and fills out a separate review form for each one.
Sample Result:
Get the Free Delivery Manifest Template
Get a copy of the Free Delivery Manifest template. You can download the Google Docs template in Microsoft Word (.docx) format, as ActiveMerge only supports Word documents.
Final Thoughts
Don’t waste your brainpower doing repetitive tasks. ActiveMerge is here so you can focus on what matters: getting deliveries out the door and keeping customers happy.
Once you’ve used it a couple of times, it feels like second nature. It’s not just about automation; it’s about peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use it for other things besides delivery manifests?
Absolutely. You can auto-fill contracts, invoices, certificates, packing slips—anything that uses a template and repeatable data.
Can ActiveMerge generate manifests in bulk?
Yes, that’s what it’s built for. You can generate several manifests from your sheet in one go.
Can I customize the template layout?
Yes. You can fully design your template in Word and use merge tags for any field.
