WD: Section Layout Formatting Changes Pasting Section Break

ID: Q176314

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

When you copy a selection that contains a section break and paste it into a Word document, the text above the section break assumes the section level formatting of the pasted section break.

This behavior will also occur if you copy the last paragraph mark and paste it into a document because the last paragraph mark is an implied section break.

For example, if you insert a continuous section break in a document, the section above the inserted section break will be Continuous, while the section below will be New Page.

MORE INFORMATION

Similarly, when you delete a section break, the text that preceded the section break becomes part of the section that follows, and it assumes the formatting of that section. The following example, using a two- section document, illustrates this concept:

   Section 1 is formatted for three columns and contains no headers or
   footers. Section 2 is formatted for two columns and contains a
   footer. If you delete the section break between the two sections,
   Word formats the entire document for two columns and places a
   footer on each page.

NOTES:

Section level formatting includes headers and footers, columns, section start setting, line numbers, margins, paper size, paper source and orientation, and vertical alignment.

When you select text to copy and paste, remember that you are copying section level formatting when you include a section break or the last paragraph mark in your selection. If you copy a selection that does not contain a section break or the last paragraph mark, section layout formatting is not affected when you paste the selection.

To determine the type of section break that is inserted in your document, do the following for the particular version of Word:

Word 97 for Windows

1. Position the insertion point above the section break.

   NOTE: A section break defines information above that break. The last
   paragraph mark defines the section formatting for the last part of the
   document.

2. On the File menu, click Page Setup. Click the Layout tab and under

   Section Start you will see the current section type.

Word 98 Macintosh Edition

1. Place the insertion point above the section break.

   NOTE: A section break defines information above that break. The last
   paragraph mark defines the section formatting for the last part of
   the document.

2. On the Format menu, click Document. Click the Layout tab and under

   Section Start you will see the current section type.

For additional information about section breaks, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q141993
   TITLE     : WD: How to Use Section Breaks in Microsoft Word

For additional information about this situation in earlier versions of Word, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q99740
   TITLE   : Section Layout Formatting Changes When You Paste Section Break

Additional query words: troubleshooting winword

Keywords          : macword98 kblayout 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: February 13, 1999