Cannot Sort Access Database on Memo or Picture Field
PSS ID Number: Q105898
Article last modified on 11-30-1993
PSS database name: WM_Word

6.00

WINDOWS


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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0
 - Microsoft Access, versions 1.0, 1.1
 - Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you use a Microsoft Access data table as either a mail merge data
source or as a database field, Word cannot sort the table using either
a Memo field or picture (an OLE Object) as a sort key.

If you use a Microsoft Access version 1.1 table as the data source,
Memo and picture fields are automatically filtered out of the Sort
menu.

When you use Microsoft Access 1.0, you can select a Memo or picture
field as a sort key. When the sort is attempted, the following error
message may occur:

   Error "Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to
   Microsoft Access to complete the current task.
   \\PromptAppNotLoaded Ddec"

Any DDE links to the database are then cancelled.

Word cannot remove the Memo or picture field names from the sort
dialog box for Microsoft Access 1.0. Microsoft Access 1.0 does not
supply the field types as part of the data table file information.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access
version 1.0. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Access version
1.1.

WORKAROUND
==========

To avoid this error message, do not attempt to sort Microsoft Access
1.0 data tables using the Memo or picture fields.

Additional reference words: 6.00 w4wmerge b_waccess

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.