WD: Converted ASK & SET Fields Don't Retain Character Formatting
  
PSS ID Number: Q130196
Article last modified on 05-18-1999
 
MACINTOSH:5.x
 
MACINTOSH
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.x
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
In Microsoft Word 6.x and later, if you open a Word 5.x for the Macintosh
document containing ASK or SET merge instructions, direct formatting
applied to the fields that reference the ASK and SET statements is
initially retained. However, if you subsequently update the fields, the
original character formatting is lost.
 
CAUSE
=====
 
By default, in Word 5.x for the Macintosh, the formatting of the reference
field is determined by how the reference field is formatted. In contrast,
in Word 6.x and later, the formatting of the reference field is determined
by the formatting applied to what it references.
 
WORKAROUND
==========
 
To force Word 6.x and later to retain the original direct character
formatting applied to these fields, add the \*charformat switch to the
affected fields. The following macro adds this switch to all fields within
a converted file, assuring that the fields retain their formatting.
 
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 professionals 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/ 
 
In Microsoft Word 6.x and 7.x
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Sub MAIN
  ViewFieldCodes 1
  StartOfDocument
  EditFind .Find = "^d", .Direction = 0, .MatchCase = 0, .WholeWord = 0,
  .PatternMatch = 0, .SoundsLike = 0, .Format = 0, .Wrap = 0
  While EditFindFound()
   CharRight 1
   CharLeft 1
   Insert "\* charformat"
   RepeatFind
  Wend
  ViewFieldCodes 0
End Sub
 
In Word 98 Macintosh Edition and Word 97 for Windows
----------------------------------------------------
 
Sub Main()
  Dim myfield As Object
  For Each myfield In ActiveDocument.Fields
      If myfield.Type = wdFieldRef Then
          myfield.Code.Text = myfield.Code.Text & " \*charformat "
      End If
  Next
End Sub
 
STATUS
======
 
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products
listed at the beginning of this article.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
To maintain upward compatibility and functionality, Word 5.x for the
Macintosh ASK and SET instructions are converted to Word ASK and SET
fields in Word 6.x and later. Fields that references these SET and ASK
fields are converted to REF fields.
 
The behavior referenced above only affects documents containing these
merge codes opened from Word 5.x for the Macintosh into Word 6.x and later.
It does not affect fields in new documents created in Word 6.x and later.
 
Additional query words: conversion convert converted converts converting
translation translate translated translates translating transfer
transferred transfers transferring
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Keywords          : kbinterop kbfield macword 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.x
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbhowto
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.