Microsoft KB Archive/83407

{|
 * width="100%"|

Excel Files Don't Work with Microsoft Word Print Merge
'Article ID: Q83407

Creation Date: 12-APR-1992

Revision Date: 30-MAY-1996' The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0, 5.0

SUMMARY

Using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as a data file for a Print Merge in version 2.0 of Microsoft Word for Windows results in the following error message:

Word has detected a field name in the header record which is not valid. This error must eventually be corrected in order to complete a successful Print Merge. The alert box offers &quot;Fix Error Now,&quot; &quot;Fix Error Later,&quot; and &quot;Help&quot; buttons. When selecting one of the first two buttons, the Microsoft Excel file opens in Word but is unreadable and unusable. However, if you first save the file in Microsoft Excel 3.0 format, the Print Merge will be successful. MORE INFORMATION

This problem occurs because Word for Windows 2.0 doesn't come with a filter for Microsoft Excel 4.0 or 5.0 files. If you attempt to open one of these files in Word for Windows or to insert a Microsoft Excel 4.0 or 5.0 file into a Word for Windows document, you receive the alert, &quot;Excel File Conversion: File is not an Excel formatted document.&quot;

The application note titled &quot;Excel 4.0 Converter&quot; (GC0542) has been deactivated and is no longer available. Version 2.0b of Microsoft Word for Windows includes an improved converter.

WORKAROUND

To successfully Print Merge, open or insert a Microsoft Excel file, you must first save the Microsoft Excel 4.0 or 5.0 file in Microsoft Excel 3.0 format. To do so, follow these steps:


 * 1) Open the file in Microsoft Excel 4.0 or 5.0 by selecting the filename from the File Open dialog box and choosing OK.
 * 2) Select Save As from the File menu and choose Microsoft Excel 3.0 from the File Format list box. Choose OK.
 * 3) From the File menu, choose Close.

You can now return to Word for Windows and Print Merge, Open or Insert this file. REFERENCES

&quot;Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1,&quot; version 4.0, page 60

&quot;Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide,&quot; version 2.0, pages 675-676, 630-636
 * }

-

"THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED &quot;AS IS&quot; WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY." '' ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.

''

KBCategory: kbprint

KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 4.0 4.00 5.0 5.00