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# Word Cannot Connect to Data Source Using UNC with ODBC

Article ID: 117700

Article Last Modified on 9/26/2003

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 6.0a

This article was previously published under Q117700
6.00 6.00a WINDOWS kbusage buglist6.00 buglist6.00a

## SYMPTOMS

If you create a Word Mail Merge document and try to attach a data source (through Open Database Connectivity [ODBC]) using a universal naming convention (UNC) name, Word cannot connect to the data source.
If you choose Confirm Conversions in the Open Data Source dialog box, you will be prompted to choose a directory. Regardless of directory you select in the Select Directory dialog box, Word is unable to attach the data file.

## CAUSE

ODBC drivers do not support the use of UNC connections.

## STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions 6.0 and 6.0a for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

## WORKAROUND

To avoid this problem, you should first make a network connection to the drive where the data source resides, then attach the data source using the drive letter.

Additional query words: 6.00a print datafile file source won't word6 winword doesn't

Keywords: KB117700