Data Source File in Word 2003

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 18, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2003

Don has a group of clients who use mail merge in Word 2003. When they open a mail-merge document, they see a dialog box that refers to SQL servers, and they are a bit confused. Don wonders if there is a set of instructions that he can provide his clients that will make opening a mail-merge document as easy as it was in previous versions of Word.

The dialog box that the users are seeing is related to new security features implemented in Word 2003. Basically, the dialog box is saying "This is a mail merge main document, and if you open it, data from the data source you have linked to this document will be used to populate the merge fields, okay?" In other words, the program is asking if it is OK to get the external data which may be from an untrusted source. Of course, it's okay; that's the way you set up the mail merge! If you click No on the dialog box, then the data source is unlinked (after all, you just said you didn't want to use it) and you can attach another data source instead.

If you want your clients to have the least problems, and you know the data source is good, then just have them click Yes. If you want to get rid of the security warning (the dialog box) all together, then you will need to have each client make a Registry change on their systems. You can find more information about that at the following Knowledge Base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/825765

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (338) applies to Microsoft Word 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Determining the Length of a String

Need to find out in a macro how long a particular text string is? You can figure it out by using the Len function, ...

Discover More

Using Fields for Fractions

Want a quick way to create fractions? You can do it by using fields, as described in this tip.

Discover More

Document Shows as 'In Use' by Another User

Word tries to constantly track who is using various documents, in order to prevent two users from clashing in their edits ...

Discover More

Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!

More WordTips (menu)

Mail Merge and Data Source Documents become Unattached

When you create a mail merge document, you attach it to a data source that is the basis for the information to be merged ...

Discover More

Conditional Processing During a Mail Merge

The Mail Merge capabilities can appear limited at first glance. One thing that is often overlooked (and which makes the ...

Discover More

Merging Only a Date from Access

When you are merging data from an Access database, you may get more information than you want, especially when it comes ...

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is five less than 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.