DOCUMENT:Q157106 06-AUG-2002 [word97] TITLE :WD97: ErrMsg: Word Could Not Open as a Data ... PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:97 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:word97 kbmerge ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you set up a mail merge in Word, you may receive the following error message: Word could not open as a data or header source because it is the active mail merge main document. CAUSE ===== The file that you are attempting to attach as a data (header) source has been previously set as a main document in Word. WORKAROUND ========== To reset the condition of the data source, follow these steps: 1. Close all documents currently open in Word. 2. Open the data file you want to use in the merge. 3. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge. 4. In the Mail Merge Helper, click the Create button. 5. From the Create list, click "Restore to Normal Word Document." The following message appears: By restoring to a normal Word document, the text of the document will not change. However, will no longer be a mail merge main document. Do you want to continue? Click Yes. 6. From the Mail Merge Helper, click the Close button. 7. Save and close from the data source. 8. Perform the mail merge process again. Additional query words: printmerge mailmerge datasource datafile ====================================================================== Keywords : word97 kbmerge Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:97 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.