Word will not access csv data source

[Jaimie]

I have a client who has downloaded a merge doc and a csv
data source from me. There is a macro set up to
automatically search for the data source and merge it into
the word doc. I have no problem on my machine, or on other
client's machines, so I know it must just be a setting.

Basically, when she opens the doc, it asks her for the
source (it cannot find it) and so she points it to the csv
file that I sent her. It then asks her to confirm the data
source and gives her 2 options regarding txt files and csv
files. Either one she selects results in Word prompting
her for the location of the data source again, and will not
let her continue with the merged info on the doc.

What settings do I need to check? She is using Word 2000.

Thanks,
Jaimie

 

[Peter Jamieson]

It sounds as if on her system (or perhaps on every systme except hers), Word
is trying to use ODBC to open the file. In that case, ODBC may not recognise
the file structure correctly without a SCHEMA.INI file with the appropriate
entries in the same directory as the text file.

She is probably getting the extra dialog because she has checked "Select
method" in the Open Data Source dialog.

Possible experiments/workarounds:
a. make sure she has tried "Text files" in the Confirm Data Source dialog
b. name the file .dat instead of .txt or .csv (this should stop Word from
trying the ODBC driver) and get her to select "Text Files" if necessary
b. create and distribute a suitable SCHEMA.INI, but be aware that
- data coming in via an ODBC source may be treated differently from data
coming via the Text converter
- other things (such as Access import) use SCHEMA.INI