can't redefine style in Word 2004 for Mac

[Jim Vance]

I am unable to redefine a style in Word 2004 for the Macintosh. In
particular, I had the command
RedefineStyle
on a customized toolbar in the previous version of Word (Word v. X), and it
worked beautifully. But now, in Word 2004, the same command is dimmed at all
times, even when I create a toolbar button for that command from scratch.

For example, I am accustomed to typing a paragraph in the normal style, and
then changing the font of (say) one word in that paragraph, and then
selecting that word, and then clicking on the RefineStyle button on my
customized toolbar -- with the effect that all paragraphs in the normal
style immediately switch to the new font. But in Office 2004, this button is
always dimmed -- i.e., I can never click it and have anything happen.

Is there is wizard out there who can help? Can anyone duplicate this
problem?

Thanks in advance for all replies. If convenient, please send to
(e-mail address removed)
as well as posting to this newsgroup.

 

[matt neuburg]

I am unable to redefine a style in Word 2004 for the Macintosh. In
particular, I had the command
RedefineStyle
on a customized toolbar in the previous version of Word (Word v. X), and it
worked beautifully. But now, in Word 2004, the same command is dimmed at all
times, even when I create a toolbar button for that command from scratch.

I just tried this in Word 2004 and it works. It just doesn't work for
Normal - and rightly so. m.

 

[WJ Shack]

I am unable to redefine a style in Word 2004 for the Macintosh. In
particular, I had the command
RedefineStyle
on a customized toolbar in the previous version of Word (Word v. X), and it
worked beautifully. But now, in Word 2004, the same command is dimmed at all
times, even when I create a toolbar button for that command from scratch.

I just tried this in Word 2004 and it works. It just doesn't work for
Normal - and rightly so. m.


-------- End Quote --------


This has been driving me batty. Sometimes it would and sometimes it
wouldn't. Thanks for pointing out the behavior. It is a change though. It
has worked for Normal in every version from at least W5 on. Unlike you, I
think the old way was the sensible way.

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Jim:

I would have to side with Matt on this one: the ability to redefine the
Document's Master Style (Normal Style) was one of the main sources of
document corruption. They fixed this nasty exposure in Word 2004.

The problem is because until you change it, every other style in the
document is "Based On" Normal style.

However, you can work-around this attempt to protect your document if you
wish. Open your Normal template and use Format>Style. Select the Normal
style and choose Modify. Check the "Automatically Update" checkbox and
choose OK.

Now any change you make to a paragraph in the Normal Style will flow
instantly to any other paragraphs in that style in the document, and to all
other styles.

If you do this to the Normal style, I wouldn't count on documents treated
this way lasting for years On the other hand, if you set your styles up
so that nothing that matters is based on Normal style (which many
professionals do...) then it doesn't matter too much, because you are only
changing styles that are not in use. Just be aware that even if it is not
in use, if you do corrupt the Normal style, eventually Word is unable to
open the document (at all...) and you lose the content.

Cheers

I just tried this in Word 2004 and it works. It just doesn't work for
Normal - and rightly so. m.


-------- End Quote --------


This has been driving me batty. Sometimes it would and sometimes it
wouldn't. Thanks for pointing out the behavior. It is a change though. It
has worked for Normal in every version from at least W5 on. Unlike you, I
think the old way was the sensible way.

--

Please reply to the newsgroup to maintain the thread. Please do not email
me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie <[email protected]>
Consultant Technical Writer
Sydney, Australia +61 4 1209 1410

 

[Jim Vance]

However, you can work-around this attempt to protect your document if you
wish. Open your Normal template and use Format>Style. Select the Normal
style and choose Modify. Check the "Automatically Update" checkbox and
choose OK.

Thanks for your reply, John. I have followed your instructions above (very
clear, thanks!). However, afterwards I am still unable to change the Normal
style in an open document in the way I prefer: via the RedefineStyle
command. Regardless of whether I put that command under a menu or on a
toolbar, it remains dimmed when the selection is in a paragraph in the
Normal style.

I have tried this in a user account in which Word had never before been run;
same outcome. Sigh!

So, I am still looking for a one-click means to change the Normal style in
the currently open document (as opposed to changing the Normal style in the
Normal template; that should be harder indeed). This is important to me
(despite your warnings, for which I thank you) and I do hope to learn a way
to accomplish it.

 

[Ron]

So, I am still looking for a one-click means to change the Normal style in
the currently open document (as opposed to changing the Normal style in the
Normal template; that should be harder indeed). This is important to me
(despite your warnings, for which I thank you) and I do hope to learn a way
to accomplish it.

I am having the same problem. I can't redefine a particular style
based on the selected text. I did this with all previous verisons of
Word. The command is still part of Word and ALL the help
documentation says it can be done, it doesn't work, the button is dim
or the key command doesn't work. I need help with this one, because
it's a feature I need badly for my work.

 

[Ron]

I am having the same problem. I can't redefine a particular style
based on the selected text. I did this with all previous verisons of
Word. The command is still part of Word and ALL the help
documentation says it can be done, it doesn't work, the button is dim
or the key command doesn't work. I need help with this one, because
it's a feature I need badly for my work.

I've discovered that the Redefine style and Update to match selection
(which are the same commands) work in all styles except Normal.

 

[matt neuburg]

(e-mail address removed) (Ron) wrote in message


I've discovered that the Redefine style and Update to match selection
(which are the same commands) work in all styles except Normal.

Right. Well, we've been up and down this road on this newsgroup already.
Personally I think this is a great new feature of Word 2004. You
shouldn't redefine Normal, and people were doing it accidentally and not
understanding why their whole document went wonky. So Microsoft made it
harder to do. m.