WD: Can't Use Microsoft Access Files (.mdb or DDE) with Word

ID: Q137076

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
Microsoft Access, version 2.0
Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Mail Merge or the Insert Database command to obtain data from a Microsoft Access data file, the option for "MS Access Databases (*.mdb)" does not appear in the "Files Of Type" list, and the DDE method of obtaining the data is not available.

In addition, you may receive the following error message:

   Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to Microsoft Access to
   complete the current task

CAUSE

For Word to show *.mdb files or to use DDE with Microsoft Access, the Microsoft Access program folder must be listed correctly in the Windows Registry Extensions key. A Typical installation of Microsoft Access updates the Win.ini file with extension information, but information in the Win.ini file is not added to the appropriate Registry key in Windows 95.

WORKAROUNDS

Method 1: Add Microsoft Access to the Environment path

1. Start WordPad.

2. On the File menu, click Open.

3. In the File Name box, type "c:\autoexec.bat" (without the quotation

   marks). Click OK.

   a. If the file is not found, click Cancel and type the following

         PATH=<path to Access folder>

      where <path to Access folder> is the location of your Microsoft
      Access folder. For example:

         PATH=C:\OFFICE\ACCESS

   b. On the File menu, click Exit. When asked if you want to save changes,
      click Yes.

   c. In the File Name box, type "c:\autoexec.bat" (without the quotation
      marks).

   d. In the Save As Type box, choose "Text Document--MS-DOS Format."

   e. Click OK. Exit WordPad. Skip to step 7.

4. Find the line that begins with PATH.

5. Place the insertion point at the end of this line. Type a semicolon (;)

   and the path to the Microsoft Access program folder.

6. Save the file and exit WordPad.

7. Restart the computer.

Word should now be able to show *.mdb files and to use DDE.

NOTE: If these steps do not correct the problem, make sure that the database you are trying to connect to in the mail merge main document is in the Access directory or in a directory in the path statement of the Autoexec.bat file.

Method 2: Correct the Registry

For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Click the Windows Start button and click Run. In the Open box, type

  "Regedit" (without the quotation marks). Click OK.

2. Open HKEY_CURRENT_USER and open the following key:

      Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Extensions

3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and click String Value.

4. In place of "New Value #1," type "MDB" (without the quotation marks) and

  press ENTER. Double-click the word "MDB".

  A dialog box appears.

5. Type "C:\ACCESS\MSACCESS.EXE ^.MDB" (without the quotation marks) and

  ENTER.

  NOTE: This path should reflect the location of Microsoft Access on your
  computer.

6. On the Edit Menu, click New, and click String Value.

7. In place of "New Value #1," type "MDA" (without the quotation marks) and

  press ENTER.

8. Double-click the word "MDA."

9. Type "C:\ACCESS\MSACCESS.EXE ^.MDA" (without the quotation marks) and

  press ENTER

  NOTE: This path should reflect the location of Microsoft Access on your
  computer.

The new MDA entry is not required in order for Word to use DDE, but it duplicates information that was in the Win.ini file.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q136393
   TITLE     : How to Modify the Windows Registry

Additional query words: word95 winword word7 kbmerge dynamic data exchange b_waccess Established dde access establish re-establish reestablish mail merge print merge data error word97 unavailable

Keywords          : kbenv kbinterop kbualink97
Version           : 7.0 7.0a 97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: December 22, 1998