Microsoft KB Archive/172328

= WD97: Mail Merge with Merged Cells in Data Table Hangs Word =

Article ID: 172328

Article Last Modified on 1/20/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q172328



SYMPTOMS
When you attach a data file to a mail merge main document, Microsoft Word may stop responding when switching between Edit Data Source and Edit Main Document.



CAUSE
This problem occurs if the data file contains too many merged columns, rows, and cells.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, reformat the data file into a standard format: such as a tab and comma delimited file, or a standard table or spreadsheet structure.



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



MORE INFORMATION
Word 97 allows you to merge (or combine) adjacent and vertical table rows, columns, or cells. By doing so, you can create a table that is too difficult for Word to parse into the correct rows and columns. If this occurs, Word may stop responding when working with the data file.

NOTE: Because the table drawing tool uses cell merging and splitting frequently to create and format tables, it may create a table that is too difficult for Word 97 to parse.

