RtfFix.exe Corrects Line Numbering in HLP Files

ID: Q188889

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK)
Microsoft Visual Studio versions 6.0, 97
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

When you use RTF files created by Microsoft Word 97, automatic numbered lists all appear as ones (1) in a compiled help file. RtfFix.exe is a file that modifies RTF files so that the Microsoft Help Compiler correctly displays automatic numbered lists created by Microsoft Word 97.

MORE INFORMATION

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Software Library:

Rtffix1.exe

Release Date: Jul-10-1998

For more information about downloading files from the Microsoft Software Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

RtfFix1.Exe contains the following files:


   RtfFix.exe
   Readme.txt

After each item in a numbered list, Microsoft Word 97 inserts an RTF code, "\pard". This code specifies that you want to reset the paragraph formatting to a default setting. Microsoft Word 97 then redefines all of the formatting for the paragraph.

This behavior differs from Microsoft Word 95. Microsoft Word 95 uses "\pard" only on the first element of each list; it then allows the formatting of each subsequent item to inherit the previous item's formatting.

The Microsoft Help Compiler (Hcrtf.exe) incorrectly interprets the new format that Microsoft Word 97 creates for automatic numbered lists. This results in each list item starting with the number one.

To resolve this problem, do one of the following:

Disable the automatic line numbering in Microsoft Word 97. To do this:
1. On the Format menu, click AutoFormat.
2. After the AutoFormat dialog box appears, click Options.
3. Click the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
4. Clear the Automatic Numbered Lists check box.
You can now type in the line numbers manually, and they will be correctly interpreted by the help compiler.

Use RtfFix.exe to fix the saved RTF files. RtfFix.Exe fixes RTF files with automatic numbered lists generated by Microsoft Word 97. When compiled into a help file, these lists all appear as ones (1). After you run RtfFix.exe on an RTF file, the numbered lists all appear correctly when compiled into an HLP file. The exception is a list that is not all in one place. Microsoft Word 97 can display a continuous automatic list, even if there are breaks in the middle. However, the help compiler can not. As a result, an automatic list with a break in the middle will start over at one. You should run RtfFix.Exe every time you change a Microsoft Word 97 document with automatic numbered lists.

NOTE: You should back up all RTF files before using RtfFix.Exe. To run the RtfFix.Exe tool, type the following at an MS-DOS command prompt:
RtfFix rtfFile [/?]
rtfFile = RTF file. (wildcards allowed)
/? = Generates help information

REFERENCES

For additional information about fixing related line numbering problems in help files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q182336 WD: Lists in Word Cause Numbering Problems When Saved As RTF

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbSDKPlatform kbVS97 kbVS600 kbWord 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 12, 1999