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Q146896: WD97: Word Ignores First Record in Excel Data Source

Article: Q146896
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbinterop word97 kbmerge
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you perform a mail merge using a Microsoft Excel data source that does not
contain a header row, and you attach a separate header document, Microsoft Word
ignores the first row of data from the Excel data file. As a result, if the
first row in the Excel worksheet contains a data record, this record is not
merged.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs when you are performing a mail merge via a DDE connection
with a Microsoft Excel Worksheet as your data.

WORKAROUND
==========

In Microsoft Windows, this problem does not occur when you use the Microsoft
Excel Worksheet via an Excel Converter method or ODBC method.

This problem also does not occur when you use other types of data sources.

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1
--------

1. In the Mail Merge Helper, when you click Open Data Source (Get Data under
  Data Source), click Select Method.

2. Select the file you want to Open and then click OK or click Open.

3. When the Confirm Data Source dialog box appears, select Microsoft Excel
  Worksheet via Converter (*.xls, *.xlw).

4. Click OK.

Method 2
--------

Insert a row above the first record in your Excel data file. Word will ignore
this first row and merge all of your records.

Method 3
--------

Instead of using a Header document, insert a row above the first record in your
Excel data file and type the header field names in this row.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are
listed at the beginning of this article.


Additional query words: excel xl datafile dde dynamic exchange converter field missing one initial

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Keywords          : kbinterop word97 kbmerge 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbbug kbhowto

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