WD: Field Format Switch Converts Incorrectly To Word 2.x

ID: Q164243

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

A Word 7.0 or Word 97 document, containing fields with the Format (\*) switch, may give an incorrect result when saved and opened as a Word 2.x for Windows (*.doc) file.

Case 1: Error Message

You may receive the error message "Error! Bookmark not defined" as a result of a field containing the CharFormat formatting switch. For example, the following field

     {ref <bookmark name> \* charformat}

should give you the bookmark text formatted with the font formatting contained in the first character of the field. If the first character of the field (the 'r' of 'ref') is formatted with Arial, then the text displayed as a result of the field should be formatted as Arial. When you display the field code, instead of the error message, the field may appear as follows:

     {r ef <bookmark name> \* charformat}

Note the space after the 'r' in ref.

Case 2: Wrong Case

You may receive the wrong case formatting when you use the Format (\*) switch to specify the type of numbering desired.

For example, the following page field

     {page \* roman}

should give you a page number of i (lowercase i), but once the file is saved as Word 2.x and opened, you will receive a page number of I (uppercase I).

WORKAROUND

Unlink the fields before saving the file as Word 2.x for Windows (*.doc).

To unlink a field, select the field and then press CTRL+SHIFT+F9 on the keyboard. This key combination will change the field to regular text that will not be updated when you open the file in Word.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: 7.0 7.0a 97 8.0 word8 word97

Keywords          : kbusage kbfield 
Version           : 7.0 7.0a 97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: August 1, 1997