Word 2002 mail merge - save data source as Word doc

[Maybelle]

How can I force Word 2002 to save mail merge data sources as Word docs
(Word tables) rather than Access mdb files?

(Word 97 saved data sources as Word docs. We don't want users creating
zillions of Access databases when doing every little mail merge.)

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Peter Jamieson]

I don't know of a way to force Word 2002 to do this, but you could
a. enable the old MailMergeHelper (or just the MailMergeCreateDataSource
command) using Tools|Customize and encourage users to use those, and perhaps
the Mail merge toolbar, instead
b. (perhaps) disable the Mail Merge Wizard

 

[DK Pfeiffer]

Hi

The design of mail merge changed with Word 2002. When a user uses the mail
merge wizard to create a simple data file the only save option for the file
is Microsoft Office Address List. This is the same for Publisher as well.

The address list tool in both of these products creates files in the
Microsoft Database (.mdb) format. This is also the format the mail merge
database engine uses internally. The .mdb format is also used by Microsoft
Access and is not case sensitive.

The only way to make other file types as data sources is to create them
outside the mail merge process (not choosing Type New List in the mail
merge task pane). Once the file is created, the user will attach it by
choosing Use an existing list when they are setting up their main mail
merge document.

I hope this information is helpful.

DK Pfeiffer
Microsoft Technical Support for Business Applications

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[DK Pfeiffer[MSFT]]

Hi

The design of mail merge changed with Word 2002. When a user uses the mail
merge wizard to create a simple data file the only save option for the file
is Microsoft Office Address List. This is the same for Publisher as well.

The address list tool in both of these products creates files in the
Microsoft Database (.mdb) format. This is also the format the mail merge
database engine uses internally. The .mdb format is also used by Microsoft
Access and is not case sensitive.

The only way to make other file types as data sources is to create them
outside the mail merge process (not choosing Type New List in the mail
merge task pane). Once the file is created, the user will attach it by
choosing Use an existing list when they are setting up their main mail
merge document.

I hope this information is helpful.

DK Pfeiffer
Microsoft Technical Support for Business Applications

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Maybelle]

Thanks to both for confirming exactly what I thought, and also for the
further explanation.