WD2000: Mail Merge with Merged Cells in Data Table (211834)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q211834

SYMPTOMS

When you attach a data file to a mail merge main document, Microsoft Word may stop responding when you switch between the data source and the main document.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the data file contains too many merged columns, rows, and cells.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, reformat the data file into a standard format, such as a tab and comma delimited file, or a standard table or spreadsheet structure.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Word allows you to merge (or combine) adjacent and vertical table rows, columns, or cells. By doing so, you can create a table that is too difficult for Word to parse into the correct rows and columns. If this occurs, Word may stop responding when you are working with the data file.

NOTE: Because the table drawing tool uses cell merging and splitting frequently to create and format tables, it may create a table that is too difficult for Word to parse.

REFERENCES

For more information about creating data files, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type create a new mail merge data source in Word in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
For additional information about merging and splitting cells, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

211877 WD2000: Merge Cells Before Split Setting Causes Unexpected Results

220567 WD2000: Selecting Column Selects More Cells Than Expected

217198 WD2000: What's New in Word 2000

For more information about merging table cells, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type merging table cells in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/1/2002
Keywords:kbbug kbmerge kbtable KB211834
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