WD2000: Date Incorrect Using ODBC Mail Merge with Field Date Picture Switch

ID: Q220547

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you perform a Word mail merge with a data source using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), adding a date picture switch to a merge field containing dates results in incorrect dates.

For example, the following merge field uses a picture switch:

{ MERGEFIELD Date \@ "MMMM dd, yyyy" }
which results in the following format for an example date:

July 12, 1999


WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you can use DDE instead of ODBC.

To connect to a mail merge database using DDE, use the following steps:

  1. Create or open your main mail merge document.


  2. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.


  3. Click Get Data and then click Open Data Source.


  4. In the Open Data Source dialog box, go to the folder containing the data source you want to use.


  5. Click to select the data source.


  6. Click the Select method check box.


  7. Click Open.


  8. Click to select the type of database via DDE.

    For example, for a Microsoft Access database, click to select MS Access Databases via DDE(*.mdb;*.mde).


  9. Click OK.


  10. Select the database table or query you want to use in your mail merge document, and then click OK.


For more information about using mail merge, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type mail merge in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

For more information about using picture switches, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type General Switches in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbdta kbmerge wd2000 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: July 19, 1999