WD: Word Cannot Open <File> as a Data or Header Source

ID: Q188567

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you set up a mail merge in Word, the following error message is displayed:

   Word cannot open <filename.doc> as a data or header source because
   it is a mail merge main document.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word. The file that you are attempting to attach as a data (header) source has been previously set as a main document in Word.

WORKAROUND

To reset the condition of the data source, follow these steps:

1. Close all documents currently open in Word.

2. Open the data file you want to use in the merge.

3. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.

4. In the Mail Merge Helper, click the Create button.

5. From the Create list, click "Restore to Normal Word Document."

   The following message will appear:

      By restoring <file name.doc> to a normal Word document, the text
      of the document will not change. However, <file name.doc> will no
      longer be a mail merge main document. Do you want to continue?

   Click the Yes button.

6. From the Mail Merge Helper, click the Close button.

7. Save and close from the data source.

8. Perform the mail merge process again.

Additional query words: printmerge mailmerge datasource datafile

Keywords          : kbdta kbmerge word6 word7 word95 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; WINNT:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: July 2, 1998