Word mail merge has been the default way to make certificates for decades. It works, but it was built for letters, and certificates expose its rough edges.
| Word mail merge | BulkCertPDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included with Microsoft Office | Free for 25 a month; paid for more |
| Design | Build your own in Word | Eight ready-made designs |
| One PDF per person | Not built in: needs a macro or add-in | Yes, named after each person |
| Date and number formats | Often need field switches to print as in Excel | Printed as they appear in your spreadsheet |
| Long names | Can push text onto a new line or page | Names are shrunk to fit the line |
When Word is the better choice
For a one-off batch where you only need a single printed document and already have a Word template you like.
When BulkCertPDF is the better choice
When you email certificates to people individually, need US Letter and A4, or do this every month. See how to make certificates from Excel for a full walkthrough of both.