In it's simplest form....Just:
1) Insert a column in front of the existing list, with a heading of ID_NUM.
2) Enter a seqential series of numbers, beginning with 1000.

When you print the labels:
Place that ID_NUM in a non-disruptive area of the label (eg upper right).

For mailings that are returned you have a few options.
Here are two:

1)Press Ctrl+F...Enter the ID_NUM....Press Enter
(that ID_NUM will be selected)
or
2)Enter the ID_NUMs in a single list.
Then....Use an Advanced Filter to display only the ID_NUMs on that list.

Does that help?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)


"vvsmith" wrote in message
...
For future reference how do I assign each contact an ID_NUM I just started
my
job two weeks ago, so this data base was already in effect, but would love
to
change somethings to make it easier for me to work with.
Thank you for any and all help
vvsmith

"Ron Coderre" wrote:

Hmmm.....Large contact database in Excel. I'm tempted to explain why
that
might result in problems, but I think you're beginning to experience
them.

Possibly too late for this....but, if you assign a unique ID_NUM to each
contact and include it in the address label, you could use Ctrl+F to find
them.

Is that something you can work with?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)



"vvsmith" wrote in message
...
I have a large contact data base in Excel, and I send out a lot of
mailings.
Some get returned back to me, return to sender. Is there a way to look
up
those names for deletion without having to go through the whole list of
names?

Please help, going blind looking through all those names.
Thank you