Forum Discussion
Macro Enabled Excel workbook causing error in Word mail merge
I have a MacBook Pro. The software is up-to-date. I have duplicated this issue with multiple Mac computers. The issue does not occur when using a PC. The files used are identical, but the error loop only occurs when using Apple devices.
I have a macro enable excel file. I am using that file as an 'existing list' in a Word document mail merge letter. There are no issues with the function when using a PC. However, when using a Mac (tried on more than one), an error loop occurs.
Open Word document with mail merge data>
"Find Data Source"> Select the macro enabled excel file I want to use as the list (again, tried using different sheet to make sure the file was not corrupted)>
Pop Up Message 1: "This file needs to be opened by the Excel Workbook text converter, which may pose a security risk if the file you are opening is a malicious file. Choose Yes to open this file only if you are sure it is from a trusted source."> Selected 'yes' > "
filename.docx is a mail merge main document. Word cannot find its data source, /Users/username/Library/CloudStora....
Other times, using the same sequence the following will occur on a loop until ?I am prompted to remove the mail merge data
Other times, using the same sequence, the following will happen:
Error Message: "This workbook contains unreadable content and cannot be opened."
I have troubleshot the heck of of this and I am at a loss. Can anyone give some guidance or ideas?
1 Reply
You say you've "troubleshot the heck of of this" but don't say exactly what all those troubleshooting steps were. So let me suggest one step that I'd be trying. If you've already done it, so be it. I should say first that I rarely have Excel files which are macro enabled. And I do occasionally use (on any of several Macs) mail merge in Word.
What I'd do as one trouble-shooting step in your situation is to take the portion of the workbook that is the actual source file--i.e., the single sheet that contains that source data table--and create a stand-alone XLSX copy of that sheet by itself. And then see if mail merge in Word can successfully use that sheet which is no longer part of a macro-enabled workbook.
