DMM: How the Wizards Create the Sample Record

ID: Q179976

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Direct Mail Manager for Windows

SUMMARY

When you run one of the Microsoft Direct Mail Manager mailing wizards for use with Microsoft Word 97, a sample data record is created and attached. This article discusses how this process works.

MORE INFORMATION

What Is the Sample Data Record?

When you run the Microsoft Word 97 templates, Flyer Wizard, Letter Wizard, or Postcard Wizard that come with Microsoft Direct Mail Manager, a sample data record is created and attached to the main document.

The sample data record that is created is called Samplerecord.csv and it is created in the Windows temp directory. It contains one record of data which can be used as a sample data file.

Samplerecord.csv is a text-only file. However, because the .csv file name extension is associated with Microsoft Excel, double-clicking the file will open the file in Microsoft Excel.

How the Samplerecord.csv File Created?

Samplerecord.csv is generated when the wizards are run. It is not installed by Microsoft Direct Mail Manager. When the wizards are run for the first time, the Samplerecord.csv file is created. After the file is created, the wizards use the existing Samplerecord.csv file.

Troubleshooting Problems with Samplerecord.csv

If the Samplerecord.csv is damaged, you may receive an error message about the merge fields being invalid, or you may receive the following error message:

   Word could not open the data source.

To resolve this problem, delete the existing Samplerecord.csv and re-run the wizard. A new Samplerecord.csv file will be created.

REFERENCES

For more information about creating a data source, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q142756
   TITLE     : WD: How to Design and Set Up Mail Merge Data Sources

For more information about mail merge data sources, click the Office Assistant, type "mail merge data source," click Search, and then click one of the topics.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component

Additional query words: dmm

Keywords          : kbmerge kbdmm 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999