WD: ODBC Error Opening a DBF File with Hyphen in the File Name

• 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

SYMPTOMS

If you try to access a dBASE or FoxPro database file using ODBC as the conversion method, you may experience the following behavior:

   Word 97
   -------

   You receive the error message "Word was unable to open the data source"

   Word 6.x, 7.x
   -------------

   You receive a series of ODBC error messages. For example, when you try
   to access the database file Payrl-93.dbf using ODBC, you will receive a
   sequence of error messages similar to the following:

      Open Database Connectivity Error
      Stop: Syntax Error

   Choosing OK produces another error message:

      Open Database Connectivity Error
      Stop: SELECT * FROM PAYRL-<<????>>93.DBF

CAUSE

These error messages occur if the file you are trying to use contains a hyphen in the file name. (To access a dBASE or FoxPro file, use the Database command on the Insert menu or the Mail Merge feature.)

WORKAROUND

Rename the dBASE or FoxPro database file so that it does not contain a hyphen.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.