DMM: "Format Option Is Invalid" Importing Address Book as Text (182233)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Direct Mail Manager for Windows
This article was previously published under Q182233 SYMPTOMS
If you import your address list as a text file and you choose 'Other' as
the delimiter, when you click OK the following error message may be shown:
Error (3442) - In the text file specification '<file name.txt>', the
Format option is invalid.
This error occurred when attempting to open the address list file
'<drive>:\<path>\<file name.txt>'. Please check that (1) the file
exists, (2) you have selected a file format supported by Direct Mail
Manager, and (3) it is not locked or your access is otherwise
restricted.
NOTE: This problem occurs when you do not type the specific delimiter that
is contained in your text file and you leave the "Other" box blank.
CAUSE
This behavior is by design. Direct Mail Manager does not automatically
recognize the type of delimiter that is contained in your text file.
WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, type the specific delimiter that is contained
in your text file. To do this, follow these steps:
- In Direct Mail Manager, click OK to close the error message and return
to the "Where is your address list?" dialog box.
- Click the Next button to import the same delimited text file.
- In the "Delimited Text File Options" dialog box, type the delimiter
from your text file in the box next to the "Other" option. For
example, if your text file looks like
Name~Address~City~State~Zip
Stu~222 2nd St.~Seattle~WA~98025
Sam~333 3rd Dr.~Everett~WA~98005
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 11/7/2000 |
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| Keywords: | kbprb KB182233 |
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