WD: Show Hidden Text Command Not Available

Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
Article ID: Q132260
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
  • Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

The Show Hidden Text command is not available as a keyboard shortcut or as a Microsoft Word command. This functionality has changed from earlier versions of Word.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Word versions 6.0 and 6.01 for the Macintosh. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Manualy Toggle Hidden Text Viewing

  1. On the Tools Menu, click Options (click Preferences in Word 98 Macintosh Edition).

  2. Click the View tab.

  3. Under Nonprinting Characters, click to select or clear the Hidden Text check box.

  4. Click OK.

Method 2: Create a Macro to Toggle Hidden Text

The following sample macro toggles hidden text on and off. Use the appropriate macro for your version of Word.

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 engineers 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/supportnet/refguide/

Visual Basic (Word 97 for Windows and Word 98 Macintosh Edition):

   Sub ToggleShowHiddenText()
      ActiveWindow.View.ShowHiddenText = Not _
      ActiveWindow.View.ShowHiddenText
   End Sub
   
WordBasic (Word 6.x and 7.x):

The following WordBasic sample macro toggles hidden text on and off:

   Sub Main
      Dim dlg As ToolsOptionView
      GetCurValues dlg
      If dlg.Hidden = 1 ' If turned on,
         dlg.Hidden = 0 ' turn it off,
      Else
         dlg.Hidden = 1 ' else turn it on.
      End If
      ToolsOptionsView dlg ' Force update.
   End Sub

MORE INFORMATION

For additional 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: show hidden text
Keywords : kbformat kbmacroexample macword ntword word6 word7 word8 word95 word97 wordnt macword98 kbcode kbmacro kbprg kbui
Version : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a,97; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a,98
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Hardware : PPC
Issue type : kbbug
Solution Type : kbworkaround


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Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.