"EDOCX exception - Unexpected error from external database driver (1)" in Envelope Designer

Learn how to resolve the error "EDOCX exception - Unexpected error from external database driver (1)" when attaching a mail list in Envelope Designer.

Products affected: Envelope Designer Plus

Issue

When attaching a mail list with an .xls extension format in Envelope Designer, the following error is displayed:

EDOCX exception - Unexpected error from external database driver (1)

Cause

A recent Microsoft update has cause this file extension to no longer work correctly.

Resolution

Option 1) If using ConnectRight Mailer to create address file

Note: If your file contains leading zeros, for example in the ZIP code field, DBF file type is recommended. If using CSV, leading zeros on the ZIP code may be removed due to formatting parameters of the CSV file type.

Open Export in ConnectRight Mailer.
Change the file type to Delimited (ASCII) or DBF.
Select Next.
Ensure that file name has correct the extension, CSV for Delimited, or DBF for DBF.
Select Save.
Export using the new format and attach to Envelope Designer.

Option 2) Apply Microsoft Patch to fix error

Depending on your operating system, download and install the security patch to resolve the above referenced error:

Windows 7 SP1: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4048960
Windows 8.1: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4048958/windows-81-update-kb4048958
Windows 10 1607: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/4052231
Windows 10 1703: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/4048954
Windows 10 1709: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/4048955
Windows 10 1809: https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/4487044

Once patch is installed, the Excel file type that best works with Envelope Designer is "Excel 97-2003 Workbook (*.xls)". Open the address file you plan on using in Envelope Designer with Microsoft Excel and go to File > Save As and select Excel 97-2003 Workbook (*.xls) from the Save as type menu.
Once the address list is saved in the new file format, open Envelope Designer, select the envelope template you plan to use, and select File > Attach to Mail List and use the new formatted file you saved in step 2.

Option 3) If after applying the patch, option 2 does not work

Open the file you received the error with in Microsoft Excel.
Select File > Save As.
In the Save As box, select the menu next to Save as type and select CSV (Comma delimited)(*.csv).

Note: CSV file type may remove leading zeros from the ZIP code field due to parameters of the file. Double-check your list if you have leading zeros in any field to ensure data accuracy.

Select Save.
Exit Microsoft Excel.
Open Envelope Designer Plus and attach the newly created .csv file.

UPDATED: August 14, 2021