PRB: "Cannot Start Microsoft Word" Error When Doing Mail Merge

ID: Q113667

2.60 3.00 WINDOWS

 kbinterop   kbprb

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

After you have filled out all the selections and chosen the Finish button to run the Mail Merge Wizard in FoxPro version 2.6 for Windows, the error message "Cannot start Microsoft Word" is displayed.

CAUSE

The Mail Merge Wizard directs Microsoft Word to open the selected database using a 1-Tier FoxPro ODBC driver. If the FoxPro 1-Tier ODBC driver is not installed or configured properly, the above error message is displayed.

NOTE: The ODBC icon will not be not available in Control Panel unless you have installed ODBC drivers from either the FoxPro Connectivity Kit or another ODBC source.

RESOLUTION

Install the FoxPro 1-Tier ODBC driver with the correct configuration information, as described below:

1. From the Program Manager in Windows, open the Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel, double-click the ODBC icon.

3. In the Data Sources dialog box, choose the Add button.

4. Select FoxPro Files (*.dbf), and then choose OK.

   If the FoxPro Files (*.dbf) option is not available, the Desktop Drivers
   have not been installed. To obtain the Desktop Drivers, call the
   Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. If you are outside
   the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. To
   locate your subsidiary, go to the Microsoft Web site
   http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm

   NOTE: The desktop drivers for FoxPro are also supplied with Word
   6.0 for Windows. They can be installed by double-clicking the Word for
   Windows Setup icon which starts the maintenance-mode installation
   program.  Select the box for Converts, Filters and Data Access.

5. In the ODBC FoxPro Setup dialog box, enter the following information:

      Data Source Name: FoxPro Files
      Description: <Type whatever you like.>

6. For Version, select FoxPro version 2.5.

7. Select the Use Current Directory check box.

The Mail Merge Wizard should now work.

Additional reference words:   VFoxWin 3.00  FoxWin 2.60 errmsg err msg
winword
KBCategory:  kbinterop   kbprb
KBSubcategory: FxtoolCk
Keywords          : kberrmsg FxtoolCk 
Version           : 2.60 3.00
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 22, 1998