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Q10342 - ERRMSG: Word Visual Basic Runtime error 438 with Office 2003 and earlier versions

Summary
Mail merge from Commence to Word results in Microsoft Visual Basic Runtime error 438:
Object does not support this property or method. This error occurs when one or more of the following problems is encountered.

  • The Commence letter macros have been disabled
  • Users do not have access or cannot browse the default Startup location
  • The Commence letter macros file cmcmerge.dot is not found in the Startup location

Follow the steps below to correct this issue.

More Information

Word 2003

The cmcmerge.dot file installed by Commence is placed in the Word Startup directory as configured from Tools - Options - File Locations, typically:
c:\Documents and Settings\<profile name>\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup

If this directory is restricted the Commence macros will need to be moved. Word will look in the following alternate directory for macros to execute on startup:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Startup

Make of a copy of the currently installed cmcmerge.dot file and place a copy of this file in the Office11\Startup directory.  

Open a new blank document in Word. Make sure the cmcmerge file is selected in Tools - Templates and Add-ins.

Reboot the PC, launch Commence and Word then retry to generate a letter.

Word XP

The cmcmerge.dot file installed by Commence is placed in the Word Startup directory as configured from Tools - Options - File Locations, typically:
c:\Documents and Settings\<profile name>\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup

If this directory is restricted the Commence macros will need to be moved. Word will look in the following alternate directory for macros to execute on startup:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\Startup

Make of a copy of the currently installed cmcmerge.dot file and place a copy of this file in the Office10\Startup directory.   Reboot the PC, launch Commence and Word and try to generate a letter.

Word 2000

  • Download word2000.exe from http://www.commence.com/services/techsupport/files.asp.  Double click on file to uncompress the contents.
  • From Word, click on Tools-Options-File Locations.  Take note of path to the Startup directory.  (If blank, point to the startup path under the office# folder where # is the version number. e.g., c:\microsoft office\office9\startup).
  • From  Windows Explorer, copy all cmc*.dot files to this startup directory. CMCMERGE should be copied to OFFICE#/STARTUP folder.
  • Close and restart Word.
  • Retry the letter from Commence.

Note: CMCMACS and JJMACS are macro files installed by Commence to merge with non-Microsoft word processors (e.g. WordPerfect, Lotus AmiPro, etc.). It will not cause conflict if these macro files are also present. Commence will launch the appropriate one based on your letter preferences set in Commence.

Applies To

  • Commence RM
Author: Commence
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Approved Comments...
This article missed another aspect of the solution. Try to include that in Word 2003, you need to make sure the cmcmerge file is selected in Tools > Templates and Add-ins. This was the solution to the Runtime error 438 I received. COMMENCE REPLY: Thank you for your feedback! The article has been updated. Approved: Friday, August 20, 2010
You should add some clarification if there are both cmcmacs and cmcmerge files and which one should be there and which one should not be there. Also, should the right cmc file be in app data or office10/startup, and can both exist or should only one exist. COMMENCE COMMENT: CMCMERGE should be copied to OFFICE#/STARTUP folder. CMCMACS works with obsolete versions of word processors and is no longer supported. It will not cause conflict if both CMC files are there. Approved: Saturday, January 24, 2009
Created on Tuesday, December 7, 2004.
Last Modified on Monday, August 30, 2010.
Last Modified by Commence.
Rated 4 out of 10 based on 6 votes.
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