## Word Screen Elements Appear Blank or Inappropriately Activated

Q115721

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a

## SYMPTOMS

### Case 1: REC, MRK, EXT, OVR, WPH on Status Bar Appear Activated

In Word for Windows, the REC, MRK, EXT, OVR, and WPH options on the status bar may appear activated even when they are not. If you turn the option on or off, the color of its indicator does not change on the status bar. For example, if you press INSERT to toggle between overtype and insertion mode, the OVR indicator on the status bar does not change color.

### Case 2: Blank Tab Alignment Button

The Tab Alignment button, located on the left end of the horizontal ruler, appears blank, and any custom tab stops on the ruler appear unavailable or gray. You can still toggle between the different tab alignment settings by clicking the Tab Alignment button, but no indicator appears on the button.

## CAUSE

In Windows Control Panel, under the Colors icon, the colors you select for certain settings cause options to appear blank or activated, even when they are not. For example, if you select the same color for a Word element and its background, that item seems to disappear; or if you use the same color for both the activated and inactivated state of a Word element, that item appears activated, even when it is not activated.

### Case 1: REC, MRK, EXT, OVR, WPH on Status Bar Appear Activated

If you choose a dark color for the Button Shadow setting in Windows Control Panel, under the Colors icon, Word uses the dark color to display the REC, MRK, EXT, OVR, and WPH options in the status bar, which makes them appear to be activated.
Word uses the Button Shadow color to display inactive options and uses the Button Text color to display active options on the status bar.

### Case 2: Blank Tab Alignment Button

If you choose light gray for the Window Frame setting in Windows Control Panel, under the Colors icon, Word uses the same color for the Tab Alignment button and its label, so the button appears blank.
Word uses the Window Frame color to display the tab indicator on the Tab Alignment button and uses the Button Face color to display the Tab Alignment button itself.

## RESOLUTION

Select a set of predefined colors from the Color Scheme list in the Control Panel Color dialog box, or use one of the specific workarounds listed below.

### Case 1: REC, MRK, EXT, OVR, WPH on Status Bar Appear Activated

In Windows Control Panel, under the Colors icon, change the Button Shadow and Button Text colors so they contrast. For example, if you use light yellow for the Button Shadow color, use red, black, or dark blue for the Button Text color.

### Case 2: Blank Tab Alignment Button

In Windows Control Panel, under the Colors icon, change the Windows Frame color to black or another dark color such as dark blue.

Additional query words: 6.00a grey grayed greyed win31 word6 winword disappear disappears missing blank blanked tabs ruler

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Last Reviewed: November 4, 2000 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.