Word/Excel 2010 Merge - Error has occurred: External table is not in the expected format.

Anonymous
2010-07-01T14:18:54+00:00

We are trying to do a mail merge using Word 2010.  If we use Excel files which were originally saved when we used 2007 or if we create new 2010 files we receive the error message: External table is not in the expected format.

If we go back and open the Excel file and "save as" an Excel 97-2003 file, the merge then works. 

Is there something we can do to change this.  It effects all of the computers at our college which were just upgraded to Windows 7 / Office 2010.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-12-07T15:55:18+00:00

Hello,

My name is Ross and I am a Support Engineer for Microsoft Word. I have worked on this issue with a customer and the cause was determined to be an incorrect installation order of multiple versions of Office Products. In this case it was Office 2010 and SharePoint Designer 2007. Microsoft does not support having multiple versions of Office products installed, but if you must, then we recommend installing them oldest version to newest version. Please see this KB article for more information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2121447. In this case, doing a repair of Microsoft Office 2010 after the initial incorrect installation order has resolved the issue. I hope this information helps answer the questions posted on this thread.

Thank you,

Ross

Microsoft Office Word

Was this answer helpful?

6 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-03-02T21:52:09+00:00

Hello,

I have an update to this issue. This KB details the registry key that causes the issue and how to fix it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2459087.

Thanks,

Ross

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

49 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-09-19T15:45:06+00:00

    Didn't work.  Turned Access on once, but the problem persists. :(  I've been in touch with the computer manufacturer (HP) who tells me it's a Microsoft problem; I've been in touch with Microsoft, who tells me it's an HP problem.  In the end, it seems to be MY problem -- with no help coming from anywhere.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-09-19T15:31:13+00:00

    We are trying to do a mail merge using Word 2010.  If we use Excel files which were originally saved when we used 2007 or if we create new 2010 files we receive the error message: External table is not in the expected format.

    If we go back and open the Excel file and "save as" an Excel 97-2003 file, the merge then works. 

    Is there something we can do to change this.  It effects all of the computers at our college which were just upgraded to Windows 7 / Office 2010. 

    For me the issue was resolved after I started Access. It seems the DAC are not installed unitl access is started for the first time. I didn't have to modify any configurations or change any default options.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-09-02T04:55:56+00:00

    I wouldn't say it is cumbersome, but it certainly is not a work around for work sheets with multplie sheets.  You are not prompted for the sheet to use.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments