DMM: Error: Word Needed to Close the Mail Merge Helper...

ID: Q179969

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Direct Mail Manager for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you attempt to edit the data file from Microsoft Word while you are in a document created by a Microsoft Direct Mail Manager Wizard, you may receive the following error message:

   Word needed to close the Mail Merge Helper dialog box because the
   current selection is in a text box.

The Mail Merge Helper dialog box goes away, and the data file does not open.

NOTE: The Edit Data Source button on the Mail Merge toolbar is unavailable (dimmed).

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. Word does not allow you to edit a data file while the insertion point is inside a text box.

RESOLUTION

Click outside of the text box before attempting to edit the data source. Because the Microsoft Direct Mail Manager templates generate documents that are composed almost entirely of text boxes, it can be difficult to click the insertion point outside of a text box.

You can get the insertion point out of the text boxes by pressing CTRL+HOME on the keyboard.

Now, you can edit the data source.

Additional query words: grayed out grey shaded

Keywords          : kbdmm 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999