WD: Word Could Not Re-Establish DDE Connection to MS Excel

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you specify a range when you attach a Microsoft Excel for Windows spreadsheet as a mail merge data source using dynamic data exchange (DDE), the following error messages may occur

   This task is taking longer than expected.
   Do you want to continue waiting?

   Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to Microsoft Excel
   to complete the current task.

CAUSE

Case 1. This error occurs if the Ignore Other Applications check box in

        Microsoft Excel is selected. To locate this option in Microsoft
        Excel, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the General
        tab.

        specify a range of cells you want to use. For example, if you
        specify a range by typing "A1:G6" or "R1C1:R6C7" in the
        Microsoft Excel dialog box that appears after you select a
        spreadsheet, this error occurs. If you use a different separator--
        such as a comma, period, or semicolon--the data source opens as
        expected.

        Word 6.0: This error occurs if you use a colon (:) to specify a
        range of cells you want to use. For example, if you specify a range
        by typing "A1:G6" or "R1C1:R6C7" in the Microsoft Excel dialog box
        that appears after you select a spreadsheet, this error occurs. If
        you use a different separator--such as a comma, period, or
        semicolon--Word does not attach the spreadsheet at all.

WORKAROUNDS

Case 1. In Microsoft Excel, clear the Ignore Other Applications check box

        and use a name to define the range of data you want to use as the
        mail merge data source. In Word, when the Microsoft Excel dialog
        box appears, select that name in the Named or Cell Range list. This
        method works whether you open the spreadsheet using DDE or the
        Microsoft Excel converter.

        and click Open Data Source. Ensure that the Confirm Conversions
        check box (Word 6) or the Select Method check box (Word 7-97)
        is selected. When Word prompts you to confirm the data source,
        select Microsoft Excel Worksheet Via Converter (*.xls) from
        the Open Data Source list. When you use the converter, the
        error does not occur, even if you specify a range using a colon
        as the separator.

MORE INFORMATION

Word Help contains incorrect information in the Microsoft Excel Dialog Box Help topic. This Help topic states the following:

   Select a named range of cells or type the row and column references
   you want to use from the worksheet. For example, A1:C5 includes the
   information in cells A1 through C5.