Word cannot open data source message in Word

From Support

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Problem:

When using the mail merge wizard in Word 2000, a customer gets the message "Word cannot open data source". The file is on the PC, and it can be opened in Word or Notepad.

Solution:

One possible cause is that file extensions are hidden in Windows Explorer. Changing Explorer so that extensions are visible fixed the problem for the customer.

NOTE: This is not a problem in Word 2003. It might be in other versions of Word.

NOTE: This is a problem only when working in Word—it is not an issue when executing a mail merger from the iSeries.

How to change Windows Explorer to show file extensions

In Windows Explorer, go to the Tools menu and click on Folder Options... which will bring up the following window:

Click on the View tab, where you will see this:

Be sure the item "Hide extensions for known file types" is not checked.

If you click OK or Apply, the change will apply only to the folder that was open in Explorer when you opened Folder Options. To make the change effective for all folders, click on Apply to All Folders first, before clicking OK.