WD97: Picture Is Pasted as Float Over Text, Not as Inline

ID: Q163808

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you choose to paste a picture from the Clipboard to a document, Word pastes the picture as a floating object (Float Over Text).

CAUSE

By design, Word pastes the picture as a floating object (Float Over Text).

This article includes a macro that changes this default behavior, so that an object is pasted as an inline object rather than a floating object.

STATUS

In most cases, you can resolve this problem by upgrading to Microsoft Word Service Release 1 (SR-1). For information about how to upgrade to SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q172527
   TITLE     : WD97: How to Obtain Word 97 for Windows Service Release 1

WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

The following macro changes the default behavior in Word so that pasted objects are pasted as inline rather than floating objects.

NOTE: Office Art objects are converted to pictures and pasted inline.

   Sub EditPasteObject()
      On Error GoTo ErrHandler ' Error will occur if object is Office Art.
      ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdPageView
      Selection.PasteSpecial Placement:=wdInLine
      ' If the object is not text, then convert it.
      If Selection.Type = wdSelectionShape Then
           Selection.ShapeRange.ConvertToInlineShape
      End If
   ErrHandler:
      If Err <> 0 Then
         ' If the object is Office Art, paste it as an inline picture
         ActiveDocument.Undo
         Selection.PasteSpecial DataType:=wdPasteMetafilePicture,
         Placement:=wdInLine
      End If
   End Sub

Copy the picture to the clipboard. If you want to paste the picture as an inline object, run this macro. If you want to paste the object normally (as a floating object), use the Paste command on the Edit menu.

MORE INFORMATION

Inline objects are treated as characters and are positioned as characters within a line of text. In versions of Word earlier than Word 97 for Windows and Word 98 Macintosh Edition, all pictures are treated as inline objects.

Floating objects are anchored to a range of text but can be positioned anywhere on the page.

For more information about inline objects, click the Office Assistant, type "InlineShape," click Search, and then click to view "InlineShape Object."

For more information about floating objects, in the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "Shape," click Search, and then click to view "Shape Object."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

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

   ARTICLE-ID: Q173707
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

REFERENCES

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications

Additional query words: vb vba vbe

Keywords          : kbdta kbdtacode kbmacroexample word97 kbfaq
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999