Bringing data from a database into a Word table is a common task for many users, whether to import an address book from a PIM or an inventory database from another program. Here's how:

1. In the other program, export the data as a comma-delimited file, using that program's export tools.

2. In Word, place the cursor where you want the table to appear.

3. In Word 6 or 7, select Insert-Database. In Word 97 or 2000, select View-Toolbars, then display the Database toolbar and finally click the Insert Database icon.

4. In the Database dialogue box, click Get Data. Then, in the Open Data Source dialogue box, choose the file you created earlier and click Open.

5. Back in the Database dialogue box, click Insert Data. If you wish, use the Query Options or Table AutoFormat buttons to adjust the data before clicking Insert Data.

6. When the Insert Data dialogue box appears, either click OK at once (to import all records) or specify the starting and ending record numbers before clicking OK. Word will create a neat table containing the data.