WD97: Word Could Not Re-Establish DDE Connection to MS Excel (196952)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 7.0a
- Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q196952 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.
CAUSECase 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.
WORKAROUNDCase 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.
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 8/18/2005 |
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Keywords: | kbmerge kbprb KB196952 |
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