Why does a Word2003 data source open as Read-Only in Word2007?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Kristi in Oregon - 24 May 2008 00:30 GMT

I have a mail merge document with a data source that was created in Word
2003. We have upgraded to Office 2007. I opened the mail merge main document,
made changes to the data source thru the Edit Recipient List in the Mailing
Command tab, close that window and continue with my work. As usual, when I
close the main document it asks me if I want to save the datasource because
it had been changed. Usually I just say Yes and that is the end of it. But in
2007 it has given it a different file name and says it cannot be saved as it
was read-only. Help! Please!

Reply to this Message

Doug Robbins - Word MVP - 24 May 2008 01:05 GMT

Use the datasource with a directory type mail merge main document in which
you insert a one row table into the cells of which you insert the
mergefields. When you execute that merge to a new document, that document
will contain a table with one row of data for each record in the data
source. Insert a row at the top of that table and into the cells of that
row, insert names for the mergefields. Then save that document and using it
as the data source. As it is just an ordinary Word document, you can open
and edit it in Word.

Signature

Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP

>I have a mail merge document with a data source that was created in Word
> 2003. We have upgraded to Office 2007. I opened the mail merge main
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> it
> was read-only. Help! Please!

Reply to this Message

Kristi in Oregon - 27 May 2008 22:46 GMT

I will try this and will get back to you... (I thought I had a pretty good
handle on MergeMail, but reading thru some of the posts I have reclassified
myself an amateur!)
Thanks for responding...
Kristi

> Use the datasource with a directory type mail merge main document in which
> you insert a one row table into the cells of which you insert the
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> > it
> > was read-only. Help! Please!

Reply to this Message

Kristi in Oregon - 27 May 2008 23:58 GMT

Nope it didn't work. I get the same Read-Only error after I re-created it as
you suggested. (and actually I see that it didn't rename the datasource but
my main document. In the message below that is not the name of my main
document)
The message reads "DF317571.docx is a mail merge main document that is
attached to a data source logsaledata.docx that has not been saved. Do you
want to save logsaledata.docx?" with Yes, No and Cancel as options. Usually I
choose Yes and it saves it and I go on my merry way. NOW... it gives me this
"This file is read-only. (logsaledata.docx)" with a Show Help button and an
OK button.
Can you give me any advice? Please? This document is something that I use
frequently and I'm dependent on it. Let me know if you can think of another
resource also.
Thanks again.

> I will try this and will get back to you... (I thought I had a pretty good
> handle on MergeMail, but reading thru some of the posts I have reclassified
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> > > it
> > > was read-only. Help! Please!

Reply to this Message

Doug Robbins - Word MVP - 28 May 2008 03:58 GMT

I do not know what you have done, but if you follow my instructions and
execute the directory merge to a new document, it will not be linked in any
way to the original data source.

Signature

Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP

> Nope it didn't work. I get the same Read-Only error after I re-created it
> as
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
>> > > it
>> > > was read-only. Help! Please!

Reply to this Message