"Error! Unknown Switch Argument." Reading German Word File

ID: Q121371

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows, German International Localized version 2.0
Microsoft Word for Windows, French International Localized version 2.0

SYMPTOMS

In Word version 2.0, the message "Error! Unknown switch argument" appears when you attempt to update a Microsoft Draw object in a file that was originally created in the German version of Word 2.0.

Files created in German Word 2.0 and opened in U.S. Word 6.0a will not exhibit this problem. However, if the file is opened in U.S. Word 6.0a and saved in Word 2.0 format, it will exhibit a similar problem when you open the file in German Word. The error message that appears in the German version is

   Fehler! Unbekanntes Schalterargument.

Pressing SHIFT+F9 reveals the field code

   {\EINBETTEN MsDraw \* mergeformat }

The problem no longer occurs if you replace the word "mergeformat" with the word "formatverbinden" (without the quotation marks).

CAUSE

The EMBED field, which holds the Draw information, contains a field switch which is not properly converted.

RESOLUTION

1. Switch to field code view.

   (To switch to field code view in Word 2.x, choose Field Codes from the
   View menu. In Word 6.0, choose Options from the Tools menu, select the
   View tab, and select the Field Codes option.)

   The drawing object disappears and its field code shows:

      {\EMBED MSDraw \* FormatVerbinden}

2. Select the word "FormatVerbinden" and delete it.

3. Type the word "Mergeformat" (without the quotation marks) in its place.

   The field should now look like this:

      {\EMBED MSDraw \* Mergeformat}

4. Switch back to field results view.

   (To switch to field results view in Word 2.x, choose Field Codes from
   the View menu. In Word 6.0, choose Options from the Tools menu, select
   the View tab, and clear the Field Codes option.)

Note: The backslash (\) in front of the word EMBED is a function of the conversion process, but does not affect the display or behavior of the drawing object.

KBCategory: KBSubcategory: kbfield Additional reference words: winword2 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD 2.0b 2.0c 6.0 word6 6.0a 6.0c winword WINWORD2

Keywords          : kbinterop kbfield 
Version           : 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD 2.0b 2.0c
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998