WD: Word Cannot Open <Filename> as a Data or Header Source (188567)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0
- Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1
- Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1a
- Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0
- Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a
- Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0c
- Microsoft Word for Windows NT 6.0
- Microsoft Word for Windows 95
- Microsoft Word for Windows 95 7.0a
This article was previously published under Q188567 SYMPTOMS
When you set up a mail merge in Word, the following error message is
displayed:
Word cannot open <filename.doc> as a data or header source because
it is a mail merge main document.
CAUSE
This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word. The file that you are
attempting to attach as a data (header) source has been previously set as a
main document in Word.
WORKAROUND
To reset the condition of the data source, follow these steps:
- Close all documents currently open in Word.
- Open the data file you want to use in the merge.
- On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.
- In the Mail Merge Helper, click the Create button.
- From the Create list, click "Restore to Normal Word Document."
The following message will appear:
By restoring <file name.doc> to a normal Word document, the text
of the document will not change. However, <file name.doc> will no
longer be a mail merge main document. Do you want to continue?
Click the Yes button.
- From the Mail Merge Helper, click the Close button.
- Save and close from the data source.
- Perform the mail merge process again.
| Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 8/17/2005 |
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| Keywords: | kbinfo kbmerge KB188567 |
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