DOCUMENT:Q142761 14-NOV-2000 [word97] TITLE :WD97: Error Message: "...Word Cannot Find Its Data Source..." PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:97 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kberrmsg kbualink97 winword word97 kbmerge ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you try to merge a document that was created on another computer, Word displays the following error message
is a mail merge main document. Word cannot find its data source, where
is the name of the mail merge file, and is the name of the data document. Word gives you the option to find the data source or choose other options. CAUSE ===== Word relies on a path statement in the main document that points to the data document. When the mail merge is created on one computer, the path statements apply to that computer. If you move the files to another computer, the path statements may no longer be accurate, and the mail merge cannot be completed successfully. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this problem, use any of the following methods. Method 1: Click the Find Data Source Button and Locate the Data Document ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Method 2: Remove and Reattach the Data Source --------------------------------------------- Remove the data source and then reattach the data source. This option does not remove the merge fields nor modify the document text. To do this, follow these steps. 1. Click Options. 2. Click Remove Data/Header Source. 3. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge. 4. Click Get Data, locate the data document, and then click Open. 5. Click Close. Word can now merge the two documents successfully. Method 3: Remove All Merge Information -------------------------------------- This method restores the main document to a normal Word document. It does not remove the merge fields nor does it modify the document text. 1. Click Options. 2. Click Remove All Merge Info. 3. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge. 4. Click Create, and then select the main document type. 5. Click Active Window. 6. Click Get Data, locate the data document, and then click Open. 7. Click Close. Word can now merge the two documents successfully. Method 4: Correct the Path to the Data Document ----------------------------------------------- With the document open, follow these steps to enter the correct path to the data document: 1. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge. 2. Click Create. 3. Select "Restore to Normal Word Document." 4. Click Yes. 5. Click Close. 6. On the File menu, click Save. 7. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge. 8. Click Create. 9. Select the type of main merge document. 10. Click Get Data. 11. Locate the data document, and then click Open. 12. Click Close. Word can now merge the two documents successfully. Additional query words: mmh print merge 8.0 8.00 ====================================================================== Keywords : kberrmsg kbualink97 winword word97 kbmerge Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:97 Issue type : kbhowto kbinfo ============================================================================= 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 2000.