Newbie: Linked document failures in Word XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter dsmith2005
  • Start date Start date
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dsmith2005

All,

I am using Word 2002 (office XP) on XP professional. I have created
several hundred documents that have content linked to five source
documents. I went to update the data of the five source docs WITHOUT
moving them, or changing their file names, etc., and now Word cannot
find them.

I have tried changing the source of the links and Word brings up the
right file in the right location. However, when I select it again Word
responds with an "unable to start application error" and asks if I
would like to fix it. I click "yes"and Word appears to "fix" or
"install" something but, continues to fail with an "this object was
created in Word error"...

I have installed all the Office XP SVP3 CD and get regular auto
updates. I have found this linking of files to be VERY temperatmental
(read full of bugs). Is there anyone out there that can help make this
function work reliably or recommend a replacement strategy ?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. TIA,

--David Smith
(e-mail address removed)
 
This response is for others that experience the same problem and begin
searching for a solution.

The fix is simple: Do NOT use ME OLE, as it does not work reliably.

The problem is in the way linked docs are internally coded to recognize
each other. They code structure is prone to breakdown with repeated
use, leading to corrupt .doc files.

A workaround is to use macros to copy in relevant content across files.

Good Luck,

--David Smith
 
Hi David,

This sounds more like a problem with your Word application than with the
file linking. The message you're getting isn't something that is inherently
field-related. Have you tried using the Detect & Repair (under the Help
menu)feature?

Also, check out:
http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showthreaded.pl?Number=197827
(url all one line)
for other things you can try to resolve the issue.

Cheers
 
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