XL2000: Cannot Derive Parameter Information When the Parameter Marker Is a Function Argument (821789)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you query a database on SQL Server 2000, you may receive the following error message:

[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Unable to derive parameter information when parameter marker is a function argument

When you click OK, you may receive the following error message:

[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Invalid descriptor index

CAUSE

This problem may occur if you query the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database with an SQL statement that is similar to the following:

SELECT EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, HireDate FROM Employees WHERE HireDate < dateadd(day,1,?)

Note The query parameter is an argument for a function.

RESOLUTION

How to Obtain the Hotfix

This issue is fixed in the Excel 2000 Post-Service Pack 3 Hotfix Package June 7, 2003. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

822611 Availability of the Excel 2000 Post-Service Pack 3 Hotfix Package: June 7, 2003

After you install this fix, follow the steps that are listed in the "More Information" section of this article to set the AllowFailParam registry key and to activate the fix.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
To activate this fix, follow these steps:

Quit Excel.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate, and then click to select the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Excel\Options
With the preceding key selected, on the Edit menu, point to New, and then click AllowFailParam.
Type AllowFailParam, and then press ENTER.
Right-click AllowFailParam, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.