WD: Invalid Field Name Can Be Added to Word Data Source

ID: Q118836

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 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you click the Manage Fields button on the Database toolbar while setting up a mail merge data file, Microsoft Word allows you to enter invalid field names. These invalid field names are converted to valid field names. However, Word does not allow you to add invalid field names when you use the Create Data Source dialog box.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

Word converts the invalid field names you enter in the Manage Fields dialog box into valid field names, for example:

Word replaces field names that are created using a symbol or series of symbols, such as the pound sign (#), the dollar sign ($), or the percent sign (%).
If a symbol is used in combination with a valid field name (for example, $ Amt), Word replaces the symbol with the letter M and the space with the underscore character (for example, $ Amt becomes M_Amt).
If a number is used in the field name--for example, 1234--Word adds the letter M and an underscore as a prefix to the field name (M_1234).
Word truncates any field longer than 40 characters.
If the invalid field contains spaces, Word replaces the spaces with the underscore character.

Because the invalid field names are either truncated or converted to acceptable field names, they do not cause errors during a mail merge.

NOTE: There are two ways to activate the Database toolbar:

While editing the data source using the Edit Data Source button from the mail merge main document, click View Source in the Data Form dialog box.
```
    -and-
```
Click Toolbars on the View Menu and select Database in the Toolbars list.

Additional query words: manage datafile datasource source symbol document

Keywords          : kbualink97 kbdta kbfield winword kbmerge macword kbtlc word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a;MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1A,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: December 10, 1998