Can't Insert Access 7 Database if Path Contains Apostrophe

ID: Q148121

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a Microsoft Access 7.0 database into a Word document via ODBC, or when you attach a Microsoft Access 7.0 data source to a mail merge main document via ODBC, you get one of the following error messages:

   Windows 95
   ----------

   Couldn't find file "<Drive>:\<Path>\<filename>."
   where '<Drive>:\<Path>\<filename> refer to the Access 7.0 database.

   Windows NT
   ----------

   Couldn't find file "<Drive>:\<Path>\<filename>."

   -or-

   Not a valid file name.

In either case above, after you click OK, you get a Login dialog box which prompts you for a password. No matter what password you type, you still cannot insert or attach the database.

These errors do not occur if you use DDE to insert or attach the database.

CAUSE

The Microsoft Access database is located in a folder whose name contains an apostrophe.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions 7.0 and 7.0a for Windows. This problem has been corrected in Word 97 for Windows.

WORKAROUND

To work around the problem, choose one of the following methods:

Method 1: When you get the Login dialog box described in the Symptoms

          section, do the following:

          a. Click the Database button.

          b. In the Select Database dialog box, select the database, and
             click OK.

          c. In the Login dialog box, click OK.

          d. Click the Insert Data button.

          e. Select the records you want to insert and click OK.

Method 2: Insert the Microsoft Access 7.0 database using DDE instead of
          ODBC.

Method 3: Move the file to a folder or path that does not contain an
          apostrophe.

KBCategory: KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 7.0 error datasource data source 7.0a winnt word7 word95 winword
Keywords          : kbinterop
Version           : 7.0 7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: January 20, 1999