If you want Word to run independently of your Access app, use a Shell function:
Shell "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\winword.exe ""C:\My Documents\report.doc""", vbNormalFocus
If you want to control Word from Access, you'll need Office 2000 Developer Edition. Add a reference to the Office 9.0 typelib, then use code like the following:
Dim appWord As Word.Application
Set appWord = New Word.Application
From there you just use methods of appWord to open the file and manipulate it.
You can probably do this with Word 97, too, but I believe you'd need an entirely different approach. Rick Sprague