SQL prompt when opening mail merge document

Question

I've created a brand new document for mail merges. To do this, I selected a recipient list and then places the relevant merge fields into the document.

I've run a few mail merges with it, saving and closing the document each time. I've used different mailing lists which all have a table called My_Recipient_Table. When re-opening the document, I initially wasn't getting any pop-up messages.

However, I now get this pop-up every time I open the document:

"Opening this document will run the following SQL command:

SELECT * FROM 'My_Recipient_Table'

Data from your database will be placed in the document. Do you want to continue?"

I've worked with loads of mail merge documents and have never seen this before. I don't want the document to automatically link to a specific mailing list/table, and I don't want to have to deal with this pop-up every time I want to work with this document.

How can I get Word to stop automatically linking to this recipient list? I've tried going into Edit Recipient List and un-ticking the data source before saving and closing the document, but the same pop-up appears when re-opening the document.

Many thanks!

Answer 1

If you don't want the document to automatically link to the data source, answer No to the prompt, then save it. From now on, though, you will have to re-establish the link anytime you want to do a mailmerge.

Answer 2

As the article for which Suzanne provided the link states, that SQL warning message has been a feature since Microsoft XP something like 15 years ago

The only way to prevent it appearing is to select Normal Word document from the Start Mail Merge dropdown and if desired, then re-select the type of mail merge main document and save the document before closing it.

Then, when you open the document, you will need to use the Select Recipients facility to attach the required data source.

Answer 3

Ah, it's so simple! Thank you.

Answer 4

The Registry edit is the simpler solution for me.

Answer 5

See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/you-receive-the-opening-this-will-run-the-following-sql-command-message-when-you-open-a-word-mail-merge-main-document-that-is-linked-to-a-data-source-aebb9d4b-003c-0d4b-2762-42ecdccbaced