Mail Merge with Access and Excel I'm really confused

[alex188]

Hello



This is my project file list:

EMAIL\BLANK_OFFICE03.doc
reports_tosent\report_to_sent.xls
DDB.accdb

The file BLANK_OFFICE03.doc Linked to a report_to_sent.xls Using mail merge.
File: XXX is used report_to_sent.xls as the data-basis for addresses and names for the word file BLANK_OFFICE03.doc , Link works fine! I tried several times to enter the WORD file and I can see all contacts that are in the Excel files.

So far, no problems at all!
In my database file: DDB.accdb, There is a search query that keeps the search results (ie, records) in the Excel file report_to_sent.xls (The same one used in the source data for the word file).
In one of the forms, there is a button that opens the file: BLANK_OFFICE03.doc (Which is connected, via mail merge to the Excel file report_to_sent.xls).

The problem is that when the WORD file is opened via Access the mail merge link is disappeared, I mean, the link to the data file - the Excel file , is lost, the WORD file is opened like any other file.

Now the interesting part, when I close Access, open the Word file ,the mail merge link suddenly back! Those records that I kept in report_to_sent.xls using search query in Access, suddenly appear,I can send letters to those records.

I hope my problem is clear, sorry for my bad English!
And thank to anyone who can help!

[Rod]

I've at last found some time and have been able to replicate your problem. I know this is not at all helpful but at least you may take comfort from not being alone.

So, conclusion, when opening a document through the Word user interface there is more happening than when opening a document via Access VBA. The quest is now to determine what that 'extra' is and where the values are stored. There's a lot of info out there on the web but it takes time to trawl through it all.

Did you solve the problem?

[Rod]

I have not tried this but it seems to be relevant.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=825765

Note particularly the second main bullet point under 'Symptoms.'

However, if you don't want to weaken the system security it is possible to attach the data source to the Word document after you have opened it. Read up on:

MailMerge.OpenDataSource Method


Attaches a data source to the specified document, which becomes a main document if it is not one already.