WD2000: Error Message: "...Word Cannot Find Its Data Source" (212321)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q212321

SYMPTOMS

When you try to merge a document that was created on another computer, Word displays the following error message:
<main document name> is a mail merge main document. Word cannot find its data source, <data source name>.
where <main document name> is the name of the mail merge file, and <data source name> is the name of the data document. Word gives you the option of finding the data source or choosing other options.

CAUSE

Word relies on a path statement in the main document that points to the data document. When the mail merge is created on one computer, the path statements apply to that computer. If you move the files to another computer, the path statements may no longer be accurate, and the mail merge cannot be completed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use any of the following methods:

Method 1: Find Your Data Source

To locate the data source for your mail merge main document, follow these steps:
  1. Click Find Data Source.
  2. In the Open Data Source dialog box, select your data source and click Open.
Word can now merge the two documents.

Method 2: Remove and Reattach the Data Source

Remove the data source and then reattach the data source. This method does not remove the merge fields or modify the document text. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Options.
  2. Click Remove Data/Header Source.
  3. On the Tools menu, click Mail Merge.
  4. Click Get Data, click Open Data Source, locate the data document, and then click Open.
  5. Click Close to close the Mail Merge Helper.
Word can now merge the two documents.

Method 3: Remove All Merge Information

This method restores the main document to a normal Word document. It does not remove the merge fields or modify the document text.
  1. Click Options.
  2. Click Remove All Merge Info.
  3. In the mail merge main document, click Mail Merge on the Tools menu.
  4. Click Create, and then select the main document type.
  5. Click Active Window.
  6. Click Get Data, locate the data document, and then click Open.
  7. Click Close to close the Mail Merge Helper.
Word can now merge the two documents.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about performing a mail merge in Microsoft Word, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type mail merge in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

For additional information about mail merge in Microsoft Word, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

212329 WD2000: How to Start a Mail Merge

212322 WD2000: How to Design and Set Up Mail Merge Data

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kberrmsg kbmerge kbprb KB212321
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.