Works Suite: Unable to Use a Works .Wdb File as Mail Merge Data for a Word Document (239260)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works Suite 2001
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2000
This article was previously published under Q239260

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use a Microsoft Works 2000 Database or a Microsoft Works 2001 Database as a mail merge database for a Microsoft Word document, you may receive the following message in the Mail Merge Helper:
Data fields must be separated from each other by a character called a field delimiter. Similarly, data records must be separated by a record delimiter. Use the lists below to select the appropriate delimiter.
In addition, the data in the Preview box contains non-standard characters.

After you click OK and then click Insert Merge Field on the Mail Merge toolbar, the field name that appears contains non-standard characters.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you attempt to use the Word Mail Merge Helper to merge the Works Database.

RESOLUTION

To use a Works Database as mail merge data for a Word document:
  1. Use the Works Task Launcher to start Microsoft Word.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Mail Merge, and then click Document Type.
  3. Select a document type (for example, Form Letter), and then click OK.
  4. In the Open Data Source dialog box, click Merge information from another type of file.
  5. In the Files of type box, select Microsoft Works database(*.wdb).
  6. Browse to find the .wdb file that you want to use, and then click Open.
  7. On the Mail Merge toolbar, click Insert Merge Field to insert the data fields that you want to merge.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/24/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB239260
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.