I am using an excel file as a data source for a Microsoft Word mail merge.
Because some of the cells contain more than 256 characters and I need all of
the information to come across, I have selected the data source to be MS
Excel Worksheets via DDE (*.xls).

However, when I do this, I have noticed that some complete rows of data are
missing - could anyone possibly offer me an explanation of what I may be
doing wrong and how I can ensure that everything in the exel file is picked
up?

On Oct 20, 10:16*am, Katie wrote:
I am using an excel file as a data source for a Microsoft Word mail merge..
Because some of the cells contain more than 256 characters and I need all of
the information to come across, I have selected the data source to be MS
Excel Worksheets via DDE (*.xls).

However, when I do this, I have noticed that some complete rows of data are
missing - could anyone possibly offer me an explanation of what I may be
doing wrong and how I can ensure that everything in the exel file is picked
up?

Hi Katie,

An easy workaround...If you do not have many merge fields with more
than 256 characters, you could add another column for overflow. If
column C has 500 characters, you could cut and paste the overflow
characters to column D (or whatever column) and then add the col D
merge field to the main merge document right after the column c merge
field.

I believe excel 2007 will allow more characters in a cell.

I would do that, however, the problem that I have is there are various cells
(in different columns) that have more than 256 characters...do you know why
it is cutting out some rows of data when I select the data source as MS Excel
Worksheets via DDE?

"wx4usa" wrote:

On Oct 20, 10:16 am, Katie wrote:
I am using an excel file as a data source for a Microsoft Word mail merge..
Because some of the cells contain more than 256 characters and I need all of
the information to come across, I have selected the data source to be MS
Excel Worksheets via DDE (*.xls).

However, when I do this, I have noticed that some complete rows of data are
missing - could anyone possibly offer me an explanation of what I may be
doing wrong and how I can ensure that everything in the exel file is picked
up?

Hi Katie,

An easy workaround...If you do not have many merge fields with more
than 256 characters, you could add another column for overflow. If
column C has 500 characters, you could cut and paste the overflow
characters to column D (or whatever column) and then add the col D
merge field to the main merge document right after the column c merge
field.

I believe excel 2007 will allow more characters in a cell.