Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every computer
can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and Access
2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above. This is
happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do to get all of my
Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper letters to the proper
paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of the
software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as the default
connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his knowledge on the
subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the General tab
and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at open" item. Then when
you attach the data source to the mail merge main document, you will be
given the option of using alternative methods of connection. See if one of
the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem with
Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the later versions of
MS Word too much they get failing grades from the English teachers. The
teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited funds and me trying to keep up
to date with the educational resources we have it is a constant fight. They
love the upgrades in MS Access, but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of the
software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as the default
connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his knowledge on the
subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the General tab
and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at open" item. Then when
you attach the data source to the mail merge main document, you will be
given the option of using alternative methods of connection. See if one of
the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Graham;

There were three other recomendations and one of them worked on a
school that has MSWord 2002 and MS Access 2003.

What I am wondering is if MS Word 2003 will work with MS Access
2002. I am not an English teacher, so I cannot comment on why they feel the
way they do.

Thanks Again

Hope you have a great Weekend

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Graham;
I have just learned that Peter's method did work with MS Word
2003 and MS Access 2007. It appears that it does not work with MS Word 2000
and MS Access 2002.

I know very little about MS Word and that is also a handicap.
Application programmers do VB and SQL.

I would like to load all of them, but in our country everyone is
so scared about litgious fines as a result of licsensing agreements.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Len;

This is Granny Leona and I am having the exact same problem that you
are having except that ours have gone to the Ivy League.

I have been advised to try Word 97 with Access 2007, before I go
through all this trouble (my English teachers love Word 97) do you know if
this works? I will have to but the items I need out of my pocket. I am sure
you understand.

God Bless

Granny Leona

"Len" wrote:

Graham;
I have just learned that Peter's method did work with MS Word
2003 and MS Access 2007. It appears that it does not work with MS Word 2000
and MS Access 2002.

I know very little about MS Word and that is also a handicap.
Application programmers do VB and SQL.

I would like to load all of them, but in our country everyone is
so scared about litgious fines as a result of licsensing agreements.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Which particular method worked?

The first thing I would look for in any Word/Access connection using DDE is
to ensure that no dialog boxes are popping up behind Word so that users
cannot see them and dismiss them.

FWIW I do not usually mix-and-match versions of Word and Access here, but
another thing I would check if someone is doing that is that the version of
MSACCESS that you need to start is actually in the Windows PATH. If it
isn't, I suspect DDE will not be able ot find Access and start it.

Peter Jamieson


"Len" wrote in message
...
Graham;
I have just learned that Peter's method did work with MS Word
2003 and MS Access 2007. It appears that it does not work with MS Word
2000
and MS Access 2002.

I know very little about MS Word and that is also a handicap.
Application programmers do VB and SQL.

I would like to load all of them, but in our country everyone is
so scared about litgious fines as a result of licsensing agreements.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic
of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future
to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a
worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

Peter;

Thanks for getting back to us. How do I find out if it is in the
Windows Path?

Thanks

Len

"Peter Jamieson" wrote:

Which particular method worked?

The first thing I would look for in any Word/Access connection using DDE is
to ensure that no dialog boxes are popping up behind Word so that users
cannot see them and dismiss them.

FWIW I do not usually mix-and-match versions of Word and Access here, but
another thing I would check if someone is doing that is that the version of
MSACCESS that you need to start is actually in the Windows PATH. If it
isn't, I suspect DDE will not be able ot find Access and start it.

Peter Jamieson


"Len" wrote in message
...
Graham;
I have just learned that Peter's method did work with MS Word
2003 and MS Access 2007. It appears that it does not work with MS Word
2000
and MS Access 2002.

I know very little about MS Word and that is also a handicap.
Application programmers do VB and SQL.

I would like to load all of them, but in our country everyone is
so scared about litgious fines as a result of licsensing agreements.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the topic
of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in future
to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a
worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000 and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.

1. Which particular method worked?

2. Which version of Windows are you using on the workstations (i.e. not on
the SBS server?)

3. To find out whether access is on the PATH you would need to know the
fully qualified path name of the specific version of Access that Word needs
to open. The file name will probably be MSACCESS.EXE. You may be able to
find the full path name from e.g. an icon on the desktop. You can find out
which folders are in the PATH either by opening a command windows (old-style
"DOS box" and typing PATH, then enter. Otherwise it depends on your version
of Windows, e.g. try something like Control Panel-Systempossibly "Advanced
System Settings" in Vista-Advanced-Environment variables.

Peter Jamieson

"Len" wrote in message
...
Peter;

Thanks for getting back to us. How do I find out if it is in the
Windows Path?

Thanks

Len

"Peter Jamieson" wrote:

Which particular method worked?

The first thing I would look for in any Word/Access connection using DDE
is
to ensure that no dialog boxes are popping up behind Word so that users
cannot see them and dismiss them.

FWIW I do not usually mix-and-match versions of Word and Access here, but
another thing I would check if someone is doing that is that the version
of
MSACCESS that you need to start is actually in the Windows PATH. If it
isn't, I suspect DDE will not be able ot find Access and start it.

Peter Jamieson


"Len" wrote in message
...
Graham;
I have just learned that Peter's method did work with MS Word
2003 and MS Access 2007. It appears that it does not work with MS Word
2000
and MS Access 2002.

I know very little about MS Word and that is also a handicap.
Application programmers do VB and SQL.

I would like to load all of them, but in our country everyone
is
so scared about litgious fines as a result of licsensing agreements.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

You could search the forum for Peter's earlier contributions on the
topic
of
DDE as he has indicated that he will not be available so often in
future
to
address such matters.

I understand budget limitations but failing grades for kids who use up
to
date software, because the teachers prefer an ancient version, is a
worrying
indictment of your country's education system

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org




Len wrote:
Graham;

Thanks for the tip, however it still failed. The problem
with Word and the later versions is that if the kids rely on the
later versions of MS Word too much they get failing grades from the
English teachers. The teachers still prefer Word 97. With limited
funds and me trying to keep up to date with the educational
resources
we have it is a constant fight. They love the upgrades in MS
Access,
but hate them in MS Word.

Thanks Again

Len

"Graham Mayor" wrote:

DDE is at best flaky and not helped by running different versions
of
the software. For this reason later versions have abandoned DDE as
the default connection method. Peter may be along later to offer
his
knowledge on the subject but you could in the meantime try

From the Tools menu in Word, select Options and then go to the
General tab and check the box against the "Confirm conversions at
open" item. Then when you attach the data source to the mail merge
main document, you will be given the option of using alternative
methods of connection. See if one of the alternatives works for
you.

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org



Len wrote:
I am working with 19 school districts and over 100 schools. Every
computer can have different Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access
installed.

I am getting the mesage:

Word could not re-establish a DDE Connection to Microsoft Access

When we get the funding we upgrade the oldest software and
machines.

The system I am on now is SBS (Small Business Server) Word 2000
and
Access 2002.

As soon as I go to open the Access Database I get the error above.
This is happening on about 85% of my systems. What do I need to
do
to get all of my Mail-Merges to work so that we can send the
proper
letters to the proper paresnt?

I have been messing with this for several weeks and cannot find a
solution.

Thanks in Advance!

Len

I tried the solutions from previous postings and either I am
miss-understanding them or they do not work.