Access 2007/Word 2007 Mail Merge Opens Second Instance

[btibbet]

I have an Access 2007 database where I can launch a Word 2007 merge
document whose data source is a query that looks back to a control on
the form for a parameter.

I am forced to use DDE to link the document to the query, but Word
then opens a second copy of the database (without the form showing)
and is prompting for the value of the control.

I have no database title specified.

What's more confusing is that this problem only occurs on users'
machines, not mine. All machines are Windows XP SP3.

I've been Googling now for about 8 hours with no success (only hits
tell me to remove the custom title from the database or use ODBC which
dosen't see the parameterized query).

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

 

[david]

Use spy++ to check the window title:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa264396(VS.60).aspx

Use DDESPY to check the DDE traffic.
If you don't have another version, use the Open Watcom
version:
http://www.openwatcom.org/index.php/Download

(david)

 

[btibbet]

I have an Access 2007 database where I can launch a Word 2007 merge
document whose data source is a query that looks back to a control on
the form for a parameter.

I am forced to use DDE to link the document to the query, but Word
then opens a second copy of the database (without the form showing)
and is prompting for the value of the control.

I have no database title specified.

What's more confusing is that this problem only occurs on users'
machines, not mine.  All machines are Windows XP SP3.

I've been Googling now for about 8 hours with no success (only hits
tell me to remove the custom title from the database or use ODBC which
dosen't see the parameterized query).

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

Upon further review, and a sleepless night, I figured out what's
happening...If you map to the data source using an absolute path, but
open the database using a relative path, DDE doesn't resolve the
absolute path so it opens up another instance of the database.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.