Not able to edit merged document

[G.G. Biggar, Jr.]

I am using Office 2000 on a Windows 2000 Pro platform. Recently, I have
noticed that when I create a merged document, I am unable to edit the merged
document. The cursor does not appear on the screen. Does anyone have any
thoughts why this might suddenly occur?

Gordon Biggar
Houston, Texas

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi G.G.,

I am using Office 2000 on a Windows 2000 Pro platform. Recently, I have
noticed that when I create a merged document, I am unable to edit the merged
document. The cursor does not appear on the screen. Does anyone have any
thoughts why this might suddenly occur?

I think I've seen one other report of this problem. Unfortunately, I can't
remember much more than that!

Are you saying you can't edit the document at all, or just that the focus
isn't in the document window when the mail merge ends? Are you able to click
in it? Or use Alt+TAB to move into it?

You don't have any kind of Addin that's changing how Word displays document
windows (making it seem as if all documents are in one application window,
rather than separate buttons on the Windows taskbar, for example)?

Are you using Word as your Email editor? Do you have anti-virus software with
an "Office addin"? Are you using a document management system? Anything else
that could be interfering with how Windows and Office manages documents?

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

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[G.G. Biggar, Jr.]

Hello, Switzerland!

And Happy New Year, as well.

There is no cursor showing in the merged document, and if you click anywhere
on the screen, there is still no cursor. However, when I use ALT + TAB, I
am able to edit the merged document. (Thank you.) But, why, all of a
sudden, does the screen not permit the editing of the merged document? I
have not had this problem before.

I tried turning off the firewall, but no impact. I have an anti-virus
program, but that has not affected the function in years past. I am using
Word as my email editor. The only significant hardware change made within
the last week was the substitution of a flat panel display screen with a
slightly higher resolution setting than the previous monitor.

I'm not sure I totally comprehend the "Addin" concept, but there have been
no software changes of late, other than a Windows Update from Microsoft for
a security-related issue.

Very strange....

But, the ALT + TAB routine does work. Does that indicate anything in and of
itself?

Regards,

Gordon Biggar
Houston, Texas

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi G.G.,

Right. I know I've seen disucssions about this kind of problem; not
necessarily with mail merge, but with Word 2000 generally. Unfortunately, I
didn't etch the details into my aging brain cells <sigh>! Nor do I find
anything in the Knowledge Base.

You might try asking this question in the word.setup.networking group, as
well. Be sure to mention that Alt+Tab takes you into the document window
because that may ring a bell with someone.

For my part, the next thing I'd have to suggest is booting up Windows in Safe
Mode and seeing if that makes any difference in the behavior. If it does, then
we're looking at an influence from outside of Word.

There is no cursor showing in the merged document, and if you click anywhere
on the screen, there is still no cursor. However, when I use ALT + TAB, I
am able to edit the merged document. (Thank you.) But, why, all of a
sudden, does the screen not permit the editing of the merged document? I
have not had this problem before.

I tried turning off the firewall, but no impact. I have an anti-virus
program, but that has not affected the function in years past. I am using
Word as my email editor. The only significant hardware change made within
the last week was the substitution of a flat panel display screen with a
slightly higher resolution setting than the previous monitor.

I'm not sure I totally comprehend the "Addin" concept, but there have been
no software changes of late, other than a Windows Update from Microsoft for
a security-related issue.

Very strange....

But, the ALT + TAB routine does work. Does that indicate anything in and of
itself?

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

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail