Hyphens Don't Display Correctly with Numeric Picture Switch

ID: Q121938

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SYMPTOMS

A merge field that contains the numeric format switch does not return correct results when the pictorial representation contains hyphens. For example

   {mergeformat number \# ###-##-####}

produces the following result:

   123 45 6789.

NOTE: You obtain correct results when you use other characters (such as, the at symbol [@],the forward slash [/], the plus sign [+], or the asterisk [*]).

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Enclose the hyphens in apostrophes so that your field appears as follows:

   {MERGEFIELD number \# ###'-'##'-'####}

Method 2: Word for Windows and Word for Windows NT

Use the ANSI code when inserting the hyphen. To do this, press ALT+0173 on the numeric keypad with NUMLOCK on.

Method 3

Use a nonbreaking hyphen by typing CTRL+SHIFT+- in Word for Windows or OPTION+- in Word for the Macintosh.

Additional query words: macword winword dash minus sign numeric word6 switch mergefield field incorrect none missing

Keywords          : kbfield 
Version           : WINDOWS:2.0,2.0a,2.0a- CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a,97;MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 4, 1998