[MundooTriker]

Hello Peter,

All associated worksheets were in the same workbook.

I have tried different Excel formats (reverting to xls. and xlsx).

Word just won't accept the DDE link. The option appears by checking "show
all" (as recommended by the standard help text).

It appears, unfortunately, the 'world has changed'.

In the interim, I have:
Decoupled the Word docs from the standard datasource. (The trade off is that
the datasouce is not automatically connected. Merging requires clicking "Edit
existing list" and following two links back to the data source. Probably
about 5 extra clicks, and seconds)

This appears to work, but I am going to try and refine the process.

Thanks - Andrew
created another macro to export the data each time in to another

--
MundooTriker


"Peter Jamieson" wrote:

c) There was a common Excel file working with the imported data.
(Populated
a selected record pasted via VB script from MSAcess97.) The imported
data was
manipulated in worksheet in Excel file. The adjusted data linked to
another
worksheet that was the datasource for MS Word mailmerge docs.

Just to check, are these two sheets in the same workbook?

Are you still using a .xls format for the mailmerge datasource workbook,
or is it now .xlsx/.xlsm? If you have moved on to .xlsx/.xlsm but .xls
would still do everything you need as far as the workbook is concerned,
it may be worth reverting to .xls and trying the DDE approach again
(although you are still likely to encounter problems with it).

I'll try to have another look based on what you've said, but the
unfortunate truth is that things have changed a lot.

Peter Jamieson

http://tips.pjmsn.me.uk
Visit Londinium at http://www.ralphwatson.tv

MundooTriker wrote:
Hello Peter,

Thanks for the detailed response.

a) Prior your response I have tried unsuccessfully to re-establish a DDE
link. At present the only option is to open & file save the datasource, and
then opensave the merge doc. (Too clumsy & tedious in our office situation).
I was right onto "Edit Recipents/Datasource/Refresh. It doesn't work
basically.

b) DDE was the data link for Word97. OLE DB Database files is the default
option that comes up in Word07. Also tried "ShowAll" and had a crack at the
other links. ODBC just doesn't appear to work. OLE DB does appear to the be
only "game in town" as you say.

c) There was a common Excel file working with the imported data. (Populated
a selected record pasted via VB script from MSAcess97.) The imported data was
manipulated in worksheet in Excel file. The adjusted data linked to another
worksheet that was the datasource for MS Word mailmerge docs. The Excel file
was had numerous macros and formulas specifically for data manipulation. It
was not necessary to close to facilitate the mailmerge. Every time the Word
doc reopened, it picked up the refreshed data.

d) Readonly was applied to Excel by Rightclick on closed file/properties/
Attributes.

Thanks