WD6X: Applications Missing as Default Picture Editor Choices

ID: Q112199

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

Some graphics applications may not appear in the Picture Editor list, so you cannot select them as the default application for editing imported graphics in Word for Windows. (To display the Picture Editor list, choose Options from the Tools menu and select the Edit tab.)

CAUSE

Word for Windows lists a graphics application in the Picture Editor list if it contains the following registration information in the Windows REG.DAT file: 

   <ProgID>\protocol\StdFileEditing\SetDataFormats=CF_METAFILEPICT

   <ProgID>\protocol\StdFileEditing\RequestDataFormats=CF_METAFILEPICT
If a graphics application does not add both of the above registration settings to REG.DAT, Word does not include the application in the Picture Editor list. These settings tell Word that the graphics application can edit metafiles as OLE objects.

Note: To view REG.DAT settings, switch to Windows Program Manager, choose Run from the File menu, type the following in the Command Line box, and then choose OK: 

   regedit.exe /v
On the Macintosh, the graphics application's registration information is contained in the Registration Database or PPC Registration Database file. This file cannot be edited manually.

WORKAROUND

Microsoft does not recommend that you manually edit your REG.DAT file to add these missing registration settings. (If you add the settings, the application appears in the Picture Editor list, but you may be unable to edit the drawing in the graphics application.) The graphics application (Windows and Macintosh) must register this information when you install it. If you want to select an unlisted graphics application as your default picture editor in Word, contact the manufacturer of the graphics application for instructions.

MORE INFORMATION

Page 365 of "Microsoft Word User's Guide" contains instructions for changing the default editing application, but it does not explain how Word determines which graphics applications to include in the Picture Editor list.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, Chapter 16, "Importing and Creating Graphics," "Changing the Default Editing Application" section

Additional query words: default docerr ole server container winword CorelDraw! Corel Draw 4.0 Micrografx Designer 3.1 OLE word6 Micrografx Draw 3.0 HiJaak Pro 2.0 Paintbrush Microsoft Draw 

Keywords          : kbgraphic kbole macword word7 word95 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a;WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 7, 1998