Word mail merge "Unable to Obtain List of Tables from Data Source"

[Stephen Ford]

Office 2003
XP SP2 (up to date with MS Update)

In mail merge I get "Unable to Obtain List of Tables from Data Source"

Use Tools> Letters and Mailings>Mail Merge and get to Select from Outlook
contacts and the above error occurs.

I am new to Word mail merge.

I think my office installation is pretty standard. I don't go in for unusual
setup.

Outlook has many contacts and I want to select contact info to unclude in a
merge document. The document being displayed is blank. I was thinking of
selecting recipients and then figuring out how to insert fields and so on.

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Typically when working with Outlook contacts it is more reliable and more
flexible to initiate the merge from Outlook - i.e. go into Outlook, select
some contacts, then open Outlook Tools|Mail merge..., study the options, and
go for it.

If you prefer to do it the other way,
a. be aware that the field names of Outlook contact fields differ depending

Here's a resolution which has worked for me. I HOPE it helps in your
particular case.

Two steps:

1) Go to Tools / Email Accounts
a. Select "View or change existing directories or address
books", then Next.
b. There SHOULD be an "Outlook Address Book" type MAPI
directory there--but it's most likely missing.
If it's missing, click Add / Additional Address
Books / Outlook Address Book
c. Close and re-open Outlook.

2) In Outlook, right-click on the main Contact folder and go to the
"Outlook Address Book" tab. It's likely the checkbox is de-selected.
Select the checkbox, click Apply, and OK. *Do this for EACH Contact
sub-folder is they exist.

That's it. This has consistently resolved the "Unable to obtain list
of tables from the data source" error.

 

[Stephen Ford]

Ok Peter, Thx
I will have a play around, see what happens and report back.
Happy New Year.

 

[Stephen Ford]

I followed the given process but the address book was already available and
the check-box ticked. The error message remains. If you have any other ideas
they would be welcome.

In the meantime I am going through the Word merge tutorial. Maybe I will
pick up ideas along the way...

Stephen Ford

 

[Graham Mayor]

Instead of just checking to see if it is present (which you confirm it is)
delete the address book (this will not delete the contacts list) then add it
again. This will rebuild the address book from the contacts list.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Stephen Ford]

I've completely lost my way with this. I noted some time ago that the
instruction

1) Go to Tools / Email Accounts
a. Select "View or change existing directories or address
books", then Next.

is not exact. I happened to find the various dialogues by by accident. I
can't find them now. Tools / Email Accounts doesn't exist. Any ideas?

 

[Graham Mayor]

Tools > E-mail accounts is in Outlook 2003. In Outlook 2007 it is at File >
Data File Management > Address Books.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Stephen Ford]

Yes of course. Got my head burried in Word...
I'm not too sure about the implications of removing the address book. Will
that delete my contact list? What is the relationship between the contact
list and the address book please? They sound as if they are
one-and-the-same-thing which is why I wonder if deleting one deletes the
other.

Stephen

 

[Graham Mayor]

Deleting the address book will not delete the contacts list, but if you
don't want to take my word for it take a backup of your PST file that
contains the contacts first. The address book is merely a view into the
contacts list that other applications can use. Adding it again will recreate
the link to the contacts list that hopefully is at the root of your problem.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Stephen Ford]

Yes that worked.
Thanks for bearing with me. A good result.

Stephen

 

[Graham Mayor]

You are welcome

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>