Using a secure DB in Word Mail Merge

[cathylp]

Hi. I am trying to connect to a secure Access database when doing a mail merge letter in Word. In talking with the developer of the database, he said that he uses a custom version of the Access Security file called medsys.mdw which has a group set up with user id medopr and no password. This allows read only access to the database.

How do I access data in the tables in this file (read only access is fine)? He said he was sure that it was possible from Word but he did not know how. He said that I could just write the letter in Access as a report but aggreed that would be much more difficult.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Cathy

[Denburt]

O.K.

I am trying to connect to a secure Access database when doing a mail merge letter in Word.

So tell us what happens when you try a standard MailMerge, is there an error?
I am not sure what you are asking do you want us to tell you how to do a mail merge?

Just a little more clarity in this area and I am sure we can help.

[ADezii]

Hi. I am trying to connect to a secure Access database when doing a mail merge letter in Word. In talking with the developer of the database, he said that he uses a custom version of the Access Security file called medsys.mdw which has a group set up with user id medopr and no password. This allows read only access to the database.

How do I access data in the tables in this file (read only access is fine)? He said he was sure that it was possible from Word but he did not know how. He said that I could just write the letter in Access as a report but aggreed that would be much more difficult.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Cathy

In order to access the data in a secured Access Database, you must:
__1. Tools ==> Security ==> Workgroup Administrator
__2. Join ==> Browse to the System.mdw ==> OK
__3. Open the Database
__4. Enter the UserName/Password combination that will allow you access to the specified data.

[Denburt]

In order to access the data in a secured Access Database, you must:
__1. Tools ==> Security ==> Workgroup Administrator
__2. Join ==> Browse to the System.mdw ==> OK
__3. Open the Database
__4. Enter the UserName/Password combination that will allow you access to the specified data.

I am pretty sure that can be done in word using the mailmerge process basically it opens a connection and should store username etc. in the open sting Word uses.

[ADezii]

I am pretty sure that can be done in word using the mailmerge process basically it opens a connection and should store username etc. in the open sting Word uses.

This will work for a 'Secured' Database?

[Denburt]

he said that he uses a custom version of the Access Security file called medsys.mdw which has a group set up with user id medopr and no password. This allows read only access to the database.

I set it up and did a mailmerge MS Word did not even ask for any specific info. I made sure that Admin had a password and my New user Psycho had no password. When i went into MS Word it prompted me for the table and off it went. Although I didn't actually send out any email. I did merge it into a letter with no prob.

[Denburt]

Maybe something weird going on here but i added a password to Psycho and I can still do a MailMerge...

[ADezii]

Maybe something weird going on here but i added a password to Psycho and I can still do a MailMerge...

So much for 'Secured Databases'!

[Denburt]

ROFLMAO and you thought MS Access was secure? Funny how people see a password form and think, hey must be secure... J/K Seriously though that is why I use AD (Active Directory) when I can. Another thing a lot of people don't realize is that the .MDW does not need to be there Bury that system file where the gods couldn't find it then name it something they wont want to touch heck just name it WillKillWindows and don't use an extension, that will help a lot I have had hackers try to get into some of my things before (not that it couldn't happen) but I just sit back and laugh.

[NeoPa]

You've got to be careful with .MDW files. They only work as expected when you try to use Access from the PC where the MDW file was set up to be the security DB.
Another PC may well use a different db (Heck, I don't even know which (if any) MDW db is used by MailMerge even if it's on the same PC). As long as the account ID is valid (Matches one that permissions are assigned for in your actual db) it doesn't matter which password or which .MDW db it goes through.