1. If you just want to get your merge done, you can try either of the
following
a. export the data from the Excel sheet to a .csv format file and try
using that as the merge data source
b. select your data in Excel and edit->copy. Then create a new blank
Word document, and edit paste into it. Save that and try using that as
your data source.
2. If you are trying to get to the bottom of the problem, is it just
that one data source that causes the problem? e.g.
a. if you create a Word document with a table containing a couple of
columns and a few rows of data, can you connect to that?
b. if so, if you create a small test Excel sheet with a couple of
columns and a few rows, does that work?
If that new Excel source works OK, it suggests that there is something
wrong with the specific Excel file you are using - in that case if your
sheet is fairly simple (lots of data and not many formulas or
formatting) your best bet is probably to export to .csv, create a new
workbook, re-import and re-apply formulas and formatting.
If the new Excel source does not work OK but the Word one does, there
are a couple of possibilities, but maybe you can post back if that's
what you find.
If nothing works, it suggests there is something wrong with your Word
installation. In my experience it is sometimes that Word's "Data key"
has been corrupted - you could try
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921541
Peter Jamieson
http://tips.pjmsn.me.uk
Visit Londinium at
http://www.ralphwatson.tv