WD: Computer Hangs When Updating IF Field with Backslash

ID: Q122502

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Macintosh, version 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SYMPTOMS

When you update an IF field that contains a backslash in front of another field, you will receive a general protection (GP) fault (in Windows) or the following error message (on the Macintosh):

   The application 'unknown' has unexpectedly quit, because an
   error of type 1 occurred.

For example, if you update the {AUTHOR} portion of the field in the following example you will receive the error message:

   { IF {PAGE} > 1 "{DATE}\{AUTHOR}" "{TITLE}" }

WORKAROUND

Use two backslashes (\\) in a field when you want one to appear on the screen. Using the previous example, add a second backslash preceding the {AUTHOR} field. The field should look like:

   { IF {PAGE} > 1 "{DATE}\\{AUTHOR}" "{TITLE}" }

A single backslash is used in field formatting switches. Two backslashes are used to indicate literal printing of a character.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Word listed above. This problem was corrected in Word version 7.0 for Windows 95 and Word 98 Macintosh Edition.

Additional query words: macword winword slash gpf gp crash hang freeze frozen word6

Keywords          : kbfield 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c;MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998