CSV merging across Word versions

[Simon Hutchings]

Hi,

We are currently designing a piece of software to
automatically merge in data into a predefined document
from an outside database. The method of merge used is
essentially linking to a CSV file via the Word mail merge
facilities. We can successfully merge the files on Word
2000, 2002 and upwards, but Word 97 refuses to read the
data source correctly, compounding all the separate
fields into one single field in the data source and
thereby screwing up the merge. The CSV file and document
was created on a Word 2002 setup, but it appears to be
indistinguishable from a Word 97 file. A document created
with Word 97 appears to work fine. We have encountered
problems before whereby Word 97 cannot read the CSV file
correctly, and our previous workaround was to open the
CSV file in Excel and save it as an Excel spreadsheet.
However, in this instance this is not a preferable course
of action. Is there anything we can do to make Word 97
read the CSV file correctly?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi Simon,

Hmmm. I think the first thing we need to do is determine if
it the way Word is connecting to the file. Test this:

Rename the file to use *.prn instead of *.csv and try
setting up the merge. Does that give you the expected
result?

Also, while you're at it, check the version of MDAC on the
Word 97 installation vs. another installation (the version
of the text ODBC driver is what I'm concerned about).

We are currently designing a piece of software to
automatically merge in data into a predefined document
from an outside database. The method of merge used is
essentially linking to a CSV file via the Word mail merge
facilities. We can successfully merge the files on Word
2000, 2002 and upwards, but Word 97 refuses to read the
data source correctly, compounding all the separate
fields into one single field in the data source and
thereby screwing up the merge. The CSV file and document
was created on a Word 2002 setup, but it appears to be
indistinguishable from a Word 97 file. A document created
with Word 97 appears to work fine. We have encountered
problems before whereby Word 97 cannot read the CSV file
correctly, and our previous workaround was to open the
CSV file in Excel and save it as an Excel spreadsheet.
However, in this instance this is not a preferable course
of action. Is there anything we can do to make Word 97
read the CSV file correctly?

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Sep
30 2003)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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