Split database problem

[Bill Foley]

Not sure if this is possible since it is the first time I have tried it:

I have a database with a front end and back end. I am trying to create a
Word document for those without Access using a query from my front end.
When I get to the step of viewing the data no records are showing up. I
can't direct it to the back end because the query is based on a few related
tables.

Is it impossible to create a mail merge using a split database since the
data is in the backend and I have to reference the front end query, or am I
missing something? By the way, Windows 2000 pro and Office XP pro.

TIA!

 

[Peter Jamieson]

If you have any wildcards in your query, they need to be the ANSI-92 ones (%
and _), not the older Jet ones (* and ?). If you haven't switched your
database to use the ANSI 92 ones, using % and _ will typically mean that the
queries will not work in Access, but they should work from Word.

Otherwise, you can try reverting to using a DDE connection (Word
Tools|Options|"Confirm conversion at open", go through the Select Data
Source dialog again, and select the DDE option when offered).

 

[Bill Foley]

Thanks, Peter. I'll take a look at it Monday when I get back in the office.
But this now brings up another question. The systems at the work location I
am at right now have two varieties:

1. Windows NT with Office 97
2. Windows 2000 Pro with Office XP

Are the 97 yahoos going to have problems using this DDE connection?

 

[Peter Jamieson]

The default connection method is OLEDB in Word 2002/2003, but OLEDB is not
supported at all in Word 97/2000. So that would not have worked anyway.

My experience is that if you create a merge document using DDE in Word
2002/2003 and port it to Word 97, When you open it in 97, Word will be
unable to find the data source (I can't see why, since the file name,
connection info. and query all appear to be the same, but that's the way it
seems to be). However, if you create the document in Word 97 then Word 2003
should open the document and make the connection (i.e. that's what happens
here in a simple test case). But you'll need to test that,. There are other
differences inbehaviour between the two versions which may be relevant (e.g.
the behaviour of "remove blank lines" within IF fields is different, you may
find that memo fields in Access are handled differently, etc.), so be
careful!

 

[Bill Foley]

Thanks again, Peter. I'll do a little testing Monday and see what I can
come up with. I may even look into porting the data into Excel instead of
Word. If I run into additional snags or learn something worthwhile, I'll
post back.