WD: "Word Cannot Edit the MSDraw" Error

ID: Q140870

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to edit an object created in Microsoft Draw, you receive the following error message:

   Word cannot edit the MSDraw

CAUSE

Microsoft Draw is not installed on your system. Microsoft Draw is installed by Word 2.0. In addition, Word does not automatically convert the Microsoft Draw object to a Word picture.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: ANY USE BY YOU OF THE CODE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Microsoft provides this macro code "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

Method 1: Convert the Object to a Word 6.0 Picture

Convert the object to a Word 6 picture by doing the following:

1. Select the object.

2. On the Edit menu, click Microsoft Drawing Object, and then click

   Convert.

3. Select Convert To and select Microsoft Word Picture in the Object Type

   list.

4. Click OK.

You can now edit the picture.

Method 2: Create a Macro to Convert Your Drawing Objects

Create the following macro and save it as an AutoOpen macro in your Normal.dot template. This macro will automatically convert your drawing objects to Microsoft Word Picture objects.

NOTE: this method does not work in Word 7.0.

   Sub MAIN
      Dim dlg As ConvertObject
      EditFind .Find ="^g", .Direction=0
      While EditFindFound()
         GetCurValues dlg
         If dlg.Class="MSDraw" Then
            ConvertObject .Class="word.picture.6"
         EndIf
         EditFind .Find="^g", .Direction=0
      Wend
   End Sub

Method 3: Open the Object in the Drawing Layer

With the left mouse button, double-click the object to open the object in the drawing layer.

Method 4: Unlink the Embed Field, and Edit Using the Picture Editor in Word

The Microsoft Draw object is an embed field. Unlink the field, and then edit the object using Word's picture editor. To do this, use the following steps:

1. Select the object.

2. Press CTRL+SHIFT+F9 to unlink the field.

3. Double-click the object.

The object will open in the Picture Editor in Word.

Method 5: Install Microsoft Draw from the Word 2.x Disks

If you have the Microsoft Word version 2.x disks, you can choose to install only Microsoft Draw. To install Microsoft Draw:

1. Insert Disk 1 of the Word 2.x disks, and run Setup.

2. In the "Welcome to Microsoft Word for Windows Setup" dialog box, enter a

   the installation directory.

3. Click Continue.

4. In the "Choose the type of installation" dialog box, click the Custom

   Installation button.

5. In the Word Setup Options dialog box, clear all the check boxes except

   the "Draw, Graph, Equation Editor, WordArt" check box.

6. Click the Tools button.

7. On the Options dialog box, clear all the check boxes except the "Draw"

   check box.

8. Click OK.

9. Click Setup button.

Additional query words: msdraw drawing picture ntword wordnt

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbole winword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : 6.0 6.0a 6.0c 7.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999