[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

Change the method of connection to the data source by selecting Options from
the Tools menu in Word and then on the General tab, check the Confirm
conversions at open item. Then when you attach the data source, try the DDE
option in the dialog box that will then appear.

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Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP

"John M" John wrote in message
...
hi guys
hopefully someone can help here

office 2003

i have an excel spreadsheet with a calculated date field in , field
formatted as date in excel and displays fine.

when mailmerged into Word the field reverts back to a number and using the
merge field switches ALT-F9 makes no difference,updating the field and
saving
and reopening the document also makes no difference.

the field is: {MERGEFIELD M_8_WEEKS \@ "dd/MM/yy"}

shows as March 11 2006 in Excel but 38787 in Word

the calculated field in Excel takes the date from one cell and simply adds
a
number of day from another

anyone any clues as to what im doing wrong?
cheers!
john