WD97: Word Can't Open Data Source If String Too Long

ID: Q157615

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use MSQuery to generate a data source for a Word mail merge, you may receive the following error message:

   Word was unable to open the data source.

CAUSE

This error message occurs when your query string exceeds 255 characters.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

• Shorten the Search String. For example, shorten the path to the data source, shorten the file name, or select fewer columns of data when you define your query.

      -or-
  

• Connect to the data source using dynamic data exchange (DDE) instead of MSQuery.

STATUS

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

Additional query words: print merge ms

Keywords          : kbualink97 kbdta word97 mmhelp998 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999