WD: Err Msg: "Word Could Not Re-Establish a DDE Connection..."

ID: Q188077

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a Microsoft Access database using DDE, you may receive the following error message:

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

CAUSE

This error may occur for one of the following reasons.

Case 1: Query or Table Name Contains Quotation Marks

When you try to insert a Microsoft Access Query or Table whose name contains quotation marks, Word will add a second set of quotation marks around the name. Because this action returns the incorrect information to Microsoft Access, Microsoft Access cannot locate the Query or Table and returns the error.

Case 2: You Select a Memo or Picture Field

If you select a memo or picture field from a Microsoft Access version 1.0 table as a sort field in a Word document, the above error message will be returned. Both memo and picture fields are automatically filtered out of the Sort menu when a Microsoft Access version 1.1 table is used as the data source. Word cannot remove the memo or picture field names from the sort dialog box for Microsoft Access 1.0. The field types, as part of the data table file information, are not supplied by Microsoft Access 1.0.

Case 3: The Database Is Opened Exclusively

The Microsoft Access database is opened "exclusively" by another user.

STATUS

Case 1:

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

Case 2:

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access version 1.0. This problem was corrected in version 1.1.

WORKAROUND

Case 1: Query or Table Name Contains Quotation Marks

Rename the table in Microsoft Access to contain single quotation marks (') as the marker.

   -or-

Use the Microsoft Access ODBC driver instead of DDE.

Case 2: You Select a Memo or Picture Field

To avoid this error message, do not attempt to sort Microsoft Access 1.0 data tables using the memo or picture fields.

Case 3: The Database Is Opened Exclusively

To allow shared access to the Microsoft Access database, clear the Exclusive check box (located in the Open Database dialog box).

   -and-

Change the Default Open Mode for Databases to Shared. (To locate this option in Access 2.0, click Options on the View menu, and select the Multiuser/ODBC in the Category list. To locate this option in Access 7.0 or Access 97, click Options on the Tools menu, click the Advanced tab, and then select the Shared option.)

Additional query words: link

Keywords          : kbinterop kbdta kbmerge 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999