email address error with excel

[Mike Williams]

With windows xp pro sp-1, office xp sp-2
I have a formerly working mail merge ap that uses an excel source, for
merging to email as attachment. the link is set up properly, querying
works properly, but on merge I get an error msg:
"Word cannot merge documents that can be distributed by mail or fax without
a valid mail address. Choose the Setup button to select a mail address data
field."
In excel, the column in question is headed "email" and the data is all
formulated smtp. The merge brings in the address fine. Why isn't it being
recognized?
The only thing I could find on MSKB was about Windows 95, and Office 97.
Plus, the fix didn't apply either. I found one old mention of the problem
here, but nothing current and no answers.
I've tried the setup button, and recreating the field, and everything I
could find or think of, and nothing. The same ap runs fine on my
colleagues machine, so it must be something i'm (not)doing. I'm also
getting desperate to get these emails out. I'd be very grateful for any
suggstions as to what I'm missing. THANKS.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

The only thing I've ever come across that may help is that sometimes in the
past I've only been able to merge to e-mail if the address I want to merge
is in the address book. However, exactly what that means depends a lot on
your configuration.

Since you're in a hurry, if you are using Outlook but /could/ use OE and are
not doing HTML e-mails, it might be worth using IE Tools|Internet
Options|programs to switch your email program to OE then re-attempt the
merge.