mail merge access rights

Hi, I have set up a mail merge with an Access table. Within the
access database, a button is clicked which appends some data to a
table, then opens the document (which links to this same table).

When the document tries to open it comes up with the data link
properties dialog. when i tell it which database to open it comes up
saying "You do not have exclusive access to the database at this
time". And then in access it says "the database has been placed in a
state...that prevents it from being opened or locked".


However, after this has happened the first time round, i can click
the
button to mail merge with no problems, it opens up the document
straight away and doesn't ask for the data source.


Any ideas how i can stop the initial error message?


thanks