Create a Distribution list without adding email addresses into contacts

That is not possible.

Do what you are doing now, or after pasting them into Mail, select all and drag them to a folder in Finder. That will create a text clipping that you can drag into the address field.

I think my confusion was merely a matter of nomenclature. (I think of Finder as a tool, not a place.) But I solved the problem by more or less following your and Abovdal's suggestions.

Here's what worked for me. I copied an existing group distribution list from an email I received in Mail, and pasted it into a single cell in a blank Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx); then saved that spreadsheet to my desktop; and then pasted it into the bcc field in a "New Message" in mail.

The .xlsx distribution list file now resides on my desktop, ready for further use as needed.

Thank you!

Hoyaku wrote:

"..drag them to a folder in Finder." Which folder—maybe Desktop? Or do I create a new Folder?

You can drag it anywhere you want. Desktop, new folder, old folder, whatever is easy for you.

And is an Excel file (or a Word file) a "text file" for this purpose?

It creates the file when you drag the selection to Finder. It’s called a “text clipping.” You can drag a text clipping int any text field or document and it will copy the contents into that text field.

How about a Note in the Apple Notes app—is it a "text file." If not, how do I create a "text file" which will work as a distribution list?

You can do that, but you would have to open the document, copy, then paste. A Text Clipping just needs to be dragged into the address field. You can rename the text clipping to identify your distribution list.

Just play around with it to learn what it does. Select some text and drag it into a Finder window. Then, drag the text clipping into a text window.

One option would be to send the list to yourself in the text of an email. Then, create a separate folder in Mail and move the email there, and open it when you need it. You still have to copy and paste, but it will all be within Mail. You could do this with multiple lists, just give each one an appropriate subject line.

Hoyaku wrote:

I think my confusion was merely a matter of nomenclature. (I think of Finder as a tool, not a place.) But I solved the problem by more or less following your and Abovdal's suggestions.

Here's what worked for me. I copied an existing group distribution list from an email I received in Mail, and pasted it into a single cell in a blank Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx); then saved that spreadsheet to my desktop; and then pasted it into the bcc field in a "New Message" in mail.

The .xlsx distribution list file now resides on my desktop, ready for further use as needed.

Thank you!

Do you mean you open the excel file, copy, and paste? For a text clipping, you just drag the file into a text entry area. No copy, no paste.

savymomof4 wrote:

I have been looking for this solution for years. I keep hoping they will make it. Outlook had this capability but since I've switched to iMail I have no longer been able to do it. Currently I copy from my excel spreadsheet to the to, bcc or cc line. Would love if someone has a better way then having to go out of mail to retrieve the folder or copy and paste from excel, word, etc

I can't give you a solution in Mail, but you don't have to go in any app but Finder to drag a text clipping into an address field.

I have been looking for this solution for years. I keep hoping they will make it. Outlook had this capability but since I've switched to iMail I have no longer been able to do it. Currently I copy from my excel spreadsheet to the to, bcc or cc line. Would love if someone has a better way then having to go out of mail to retrieve the folder or copy and paste from excel, word, etc

Thanks very much for posting this answer. I've also been trying to figure out how to make group emails easier, and I've never heard of this text clipping maneuver - your instructions were very clear and it worked very well! Thanks again!

"..drag them to a folder in Finder." Which folder—maybe Desktop? Or do I create a new Folder? And is an Excel file (or a Word file) a "text file" for this purpose? How about a Note in the Apple Notes app—is it a "text file." If not, how do I create a "text file" which will work as a distribution list?

Sorry if these are dumb questions…but I can't help it….

I've never heard of this text clipping maneuver

Text Clippings have been part of macOS for decades. It’s not very well known.

I think they were designed to have “boilerplate” text you can just drag into a document.

Thanks. I would be nice to be able to make a distro list separate from Contacts.

That's what I described.

If you want a distribution list in Contacts, you have to add every contact.

I tried it too and it is very easy to do. You can rename the text file so I may just keep a folder on my desktop with the email distribution files. Thanks