GP Fault Closing Template Attached to Mail Merge Data File

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SYMPTOMS

An "illegal instruction" error may occur in Word 7 when you close a document based on a template that is attached to a mail merge data file. In Windows 3.x general protection (GP) fault may occur The GP fault occurs whether you save the main document or not. In other words, the GP fault occurs when you close a mail merge main document you created using a main document template.

Note: Sometimes, before the GP fault, the following error message occurs:

   An application called via DDE did not respond to the Exit command.

CAUSE

The GP fault occurs if you used DDE (dynamic data exchange) to create the mail merge data file attachment in the template. The problem occurs regardless of which main document type you create (namely Form Letters, Mailing Labels, Envelopes, or Catalog).

The problem does not occur if you used Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to attach the data file.

For example, this problem occurs if you attach a Microsoft Excel workbook or Microsoft Access database as a mail merge data source using DDE.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions 6.0, 6.0a and 6.00c for Windows. This problem was corrected in Word version 7.0 for Windows 95.

WORKAROUNDS

Method 1: When you create a template for a mail merge main document, use

          the following procedure to attach the data file using ODBC
          instead of DDE:

          a. From the Tools menu, choose Mail Merge. If you have not yet
             done so, choose the Create button to designate the template as
             a mail merge main document.

          b. In the Mail Merge Helper dialog box, choose the Get Data
             button. From the menu that appears, choose Open Data Source.

          c. In the Open Data Source dialog box, select the Confirm
             Conversions option so an X appears in the check box.

          d. Select the database and then choose OK.

          e. In the Confirm Data Source dialog box, select the ODBC
             conversion method for your data source. For example, if you
             are attaching a Microsoft Access database, select MS Access
             Databases via ODBC (*.mdb) or MS Access 2.0 Databases via
             ODBC (*.mdb).

          f. Choose OK.

          GP fault problem by closing the DDE channel to the data file
          before you close your Word document. You can add the following
          AutoClose macro to your template to close the channel:

             Sub Main
             MailMergeReset
             End Sub

          WARNING: ANY USE BY YOU OF THE CODE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS
          AT YOUR OWN RISK. Microsoft provides this macro code "as is"
          without warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
          including but not limited to the implied warranties of
          merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 641-646, 676-692