DOCUMENT:Q196952 04-MAR-2002 [word97] TITLE :WD97: Word Could Not Re-Establish DDE Connection to MS Excel PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER::5.0,7.0,7.0a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbdta word97 kbmerge ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows - Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0 - Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a - Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== If you specify a range when you attach a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as a mail merge data source using dynamic data exchange (DDE), the following error messages may occur This task is taking longer than expected. Do you want to continue waiting? followed by: Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to Microsoft Excel to complete the current task. CAUSE ===== Case 1: Selecting Ignore Other Applications ------------------------------------------- This error occurs if the Ignore Other Applications check box in Microsoft Excel is selected. To locate this option in Microsoft Excel, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the General tab. Case 2: Using a Colon to Specify a Range of Cells ------------------------------------------------- This error also occurs if you use a colon to specify a range of cells. For example, if you specify a range by typing "A1:G6" or "R1C1:R6C7" in the Microsoft Excel dialog box that appears after you select a spreadsheet, this error occurs. If you use a different separator (such as a comma, period, or semicolon) the data source opens as expected. WORKAROUND ========== Case 1: Selecting Ignore Other Applications ------------------------------------------- In Microsoft Excel, clear the Ignore Other Applications check box and use a name to define the range of data you want to use as the mail merge data source. In Word, when the Microsoft Excel dialog box appears, select that name in the Named or Cell Range list. This method works whether you open the spreadsheet using DDE or the Microsoft Excel converter. Case 2: Using a colon to specify a range of cells ------------------------------------------------- On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge, click the Get Data button, and click Open Data Source. Ensure that the Select Method check box is selected. When Word prompts you to confirm the data source, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet Via Converter (*.xls) from the Open Data Source list. When you use the converter, the error does not occur, even if you specify a range using a colon as the separator. MORE INFORMATION ================ Word Help contains incorrect information in the Microsoft Excel Dialog Box Help topic. This Help topic states the following: Select a named range of cells or type the row and column references you want to use from the worksheet. For example, A1:C5 includes the information in cells A1 through C5. Typing the row and column references will not produce the results you expect. Additional query words: mail DDE delimiter winword cell range separator colon comma semicolon semi-colon officeinterop excel97 merge mailmerge excel reestablish ====================================================================== Keywords : kbdta word97 kbmerge Technology : kbWordSearch kbExcelSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbExcel95 kbExcel500 kbZNotKeyword2 kbExcel95Search kbExcel97Search kbZNotKeyword3 kbExcel95a kbExcelWinSearch Version : :5.0,7.0,7.0a Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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 2002.