Word has created a style 'char char char char char' and is corrupting the document
Hi,
I have a document that is based on normal.dot
Inside the document are a number of styles (all the normal ones such as 'normal', 'heading 1, 2, 3...' plus a few that are created such as 'note', 'command' etc...)
This was all working OK until the document was copied by someone and edited. Now a style called 'char char char char char' has appeared and whatever I select in the document appears to have this style (if I look on the formatting toolbar).
The document looks fine, but all the styles are now wrong.
If I use the 'styles and formatting' sidebar then if I tell word to 'select all 198 instances' of 'char char char char char' it selects most of the document but leaves gaps in the middle of some paragraphs. If I tell word to 'select all xxx instances' of another style it behaves as I'd expect, however if I click on the actual text in the document the formatting toolbar still insists it's 'char char char char char'.
If I delete the style then all returns to normal - until I save and re-open the document whereupon the problem reappears.
I am unable to delete the style from the organizer, only from the formatting sidebar.
Define Styles Based on your Formatting is not checked in my auto correct options.
I am using MS Word 2002 SP3 on a corporate network, so cannot apply patches/upgrade. Also, any fix shouldn't really rely on macros as other users may need to do this who may not know/understand how to use macros.
I have a document that is based on normal.dot
Inside the document are a number of styles (all the normal ones such as 'normal', 'heading 1, 2, 3...' plus a few that are created such as 'note', 'command' etc...)
This was all working OK until the document was copied by someone and edited. Now a style called 'char char char char char' has appeared and whatever I select in the document appears to have this style (if I look on the formatting toolbar).
The document looks fine, but all the styles are now wrong.
If I use the 'styles and formatting' sidebar then if I tell word to 'select all 198 instances' of 'char char char char char' it selects most of the document but leaves gaps in the middle of some paragraphs. If I tell word to 'select all xxx instances' of another style it behaves as I'd expect, however if I click on the actual text in the document the formatting toolbar still insists it's 'char char char char char'.
If I delete the style then all returns to normal - until I save and re-open the document whereupon the problem reappears.
I am unable to delete the style from the organizer, only from the formatting sidebar.
Define Styles Based on your Formatting is not checked in my auto correct options.
I am using MS Word 2002 SP3 on a corporate network, so cannot apply patches/upgrade. Also, any fix shouldn't really rely on macros as other users may need to do this who may not know/understand how to use macros.
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SOLUTION
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OK - bit more inforamtion....
I can re-create the problem by starting with an OK document clicking Format -> AutoFormat -> AutoFormat Now, saving, closing and re-opening the document.
Also, anyone who edits the document who has the "Define Styles Based on your Formatting" checked in their auto correct options will cause the same issue.
As this is a corporate environment, I have no control over that setting, and this document must work regardless of what it's set to....
Any ideas?
I can re-create the problem by starting with an OK document clicking Format -> AutoFormat -> AutoFormat Now, saving, closing and re-opening the document.
Also, anyone who edits the document who has the "Define Styles Based on your Formatting" checked in their auto correct options will cause the same issue.
As this is a corporate environment, I have no control over that setting, and this document must work regardless of what it's set to....
Any ideas?
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Hi,
I already have SP3 - so believe this is included, plus I can't install anything (corporate PC!)
Anyway, I think I've found a rather nasty but functioning workaround...
If anyone else stumbles upon this - the following appeared to work for me:
1) Open new document (blank document based on normal.dot)
2) Using the organiser copy all the styles (except char char char char...) to the new document
3) Copy and paste the content of the faulty document into the new document
4) Check that the format of something is 'char char char char'
5) Open the style organiser
6) Open up the formatting sidebar
7) Delete 'char char char char' - this should fail - but you apparently have to do this
8) All should now be well
Don't know why this works, but tried it on two documents and it does!
Thanks for all the help
James
I already have SP3 - so believe this is included, plus I can't install anything (corporate PC!)
Anyway, I think I've found a rather nasty but functioning workaround...
If anyone else stumbles upon this - the following appeared to work for me:
1) Open new document (blank document based on normal.dot)
2) Using the organiser copy all the styles (except char char char char...) to the new document
3) Copy and paste the content of the faulty document into the new document
4) Check that the format of something is 'char char char char'
5) Open the style organiser
6) Open up the formatting sidebar
7) Delete 'char char char char' - this should fail - but you apparently have to do this
8) All should now be well
Don't know why this works, but tried it on two documents and it does!
Thanks for all the help
James
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ASKER
Thanks all for your comments - as I said, I can't install things or put macros into docs - but see my solution on here.
Have split the points for your assistance....
Have split the points for your assistance....
Thanks James
Your workaround looks interesting.
Your workaround looks interesting.
ASKER
Thanks for those links, unfortunately, they don't address the precise problem I'm having, nor do any of the fixes work.
The style actually appears as "char char char char char char" not "body text, body text char char char..."
Also, if I try to apply a differnt style (e.g. normal) to an entire paragraph that does NOT fix the problem - the formatting is applied, but the style is still shown as char char char char char
Any ideas?