WD: Reapplying Paragraph Style Removes Character Style

ID: Q105718

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh version 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 95 for Windows, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

If you format a paragraph using paragraph and character styles, apply manual formatting to the paragraph, and then reapply the paragraph style, Microsoft Word may remove the character style formatting.

Word removes the character style formatting if the text is actually selected in the paragraph when you redefine or reapply the paragraph style. Word does not remove any character style formatting from unselected text.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

• Use the Style command on the Format menu to reapply or modify the paragraph style. When you reapply it using the Apply button in the Format Style dialog box, Word does not replace the character styles with the paragraph style.

      -or-
  

• Before you redefine or reapply a style using the Style list on the Formatting toolbar, make sure the text that contains character style formatting is not selected.

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.

MORE INFORMATION

If you change the formatting in a paragraph and then reapply the style, a prompt appears asking if you want to redefine the style or return the paragraph to the original style formatting. Regardless of which option you select, Word replaces the character style formatting with paragraph style formatting for any text that is selected in the paragraph.

In any unselected word, Word does not replace the character styles. If a portion of a word is selected (or if the insertion point is in a word that is formatted with a character style), Word replaces the character style for that word, but not for unselected words.

NOTE: Word 2.x for Windows treats direct character formatting in a similar manner, except that Word 2.x does not replace character formatting if you only position the insertion point in the word without actually selecting it.

Additional query words: change override replace modify redefine

Keywords          : winword kblayout macword word6 kbformat 
Version           : WINDOWS: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

Last Reviewed: February 4, 1998