DOCUMENT:Q146896 14-NOV-2000 [word97] TITLE :WD97: Word Ignores First Record in Excel Data Source PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:97 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbinterop word97 kbmerge ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you perform a mail merge using a Microsoft Excel data source that does not contain a header row, and you attach a separate header document, Microsoft Word ignores the first row of data from the Excel data file. As a result, if the first row in the Excel worksheet contains a data record, this record is not merged. CAUSE ===== This problem occurs when you are performing a mail merge via a DDE connection with a Microsoft Excel Worksheet as your data. WORKAROUND ========== In Microsoft Windows, this problem does not occur when you use the Microsoft Excel Worksheet via an Excel Converter method or ODBC method. This problem also does not occur when you use other types of data sources. To work around this problem, use any of the following methods. Method 1 -------- 1. In the Mail Merge Helper, when you click Open Data Source (Get Data under Data Source), click Select Method. 2. Select the file you want to Open and then click OK or click Open. 3. When the Confirm Data Source dialog box appears, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet via Converter (*.xls, *.xlw). 4. Click OK. Method 2 -------- Insert a row above the first record in your Excel data file. Word will ignore this first row and merge all of your records. Method 3 -------- Instead of using a Header document, insert a row above the first record in your Excel data file and type the header field names in this row. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Additional query words: excel xl datafile dde dynamic exchange converter field missing one initial ====================================================================== Keywords : kbinterop word97 kbmerge Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:97 Issue type : kbbug kbhowto ============================================================================= 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.