Column dialog box in word 2003

[ctaz]

When I go into word, then into format, down to columns I should get a choice
of how I want to format columns, such as spaces between columns if I want a
line between the columns etc.... But the only thing I get is the choice of
how many columns. How do I get the dialog box back.

 

[Tony Jollans]

I think you need to reset the menu option

Select Tools > Customize from the Menu
When the dialog is displayed click on Format on the menu Bar and then ..
Right click on Columns and select Reset from the menu which appears.

 

[ctaz]

Thank you Tony, But it did not help. When I went into tools>customize>format
there was nothing there that said columns so I could not right click on it.
Any other suggestions. Please help I need it for my assignments for school.
Ctaz

 

[Tony Jollans]

Hi ctaz,

It's the same Columns that you say you are having trouble with - if it's not
there you are either not doing as I meant or my understanding of your
problem is wrong.

However, if it really isn't there try resetting the whole Format menu ..

While the Customize dialog is showing, just right click on Format on the
Word menu bar and select Reset there.

 

[ctaz]

Hi Tony
Ok I tried what you told me. This is what I have I right click on tool, went
to customize I then have 3 tabs on top I was in the first one the only boxes
I have are formatting and extened formatting, nothing with just format. So I
tried to resest both of them and it still did not work. Now what

 

[Tony Jollans]

Hi ctaz,

Right, I see where the misunderstanding is ...

Just fire up the Tools > Customize Dialog. It doesn't matter what tab is
showing.

Now, go click on the Format on the WORD Menu Bar, then right click on
Columns on the submenu and select Reset.

This is the same menu option you take to get (or not get) your Format
Columns Dialog when you are not in Customize mode.

 

[ctaz]

Hi Tony
Ok we are getting closer, I found what you were saying but the only thing
now is that it is greyed out. The only things I can click on are Delete, Name
and begin a group. Next step.
Thanks for your help so far.
ctaz

 

[Tony Jollans]

Hi ctaz,

OK. I think I understand what you've got now.

In Word, there are two different things - the Columns Menu Option which is
(normally) on the Format *Menu* which you can select on the Menu Bar and
which displays the Dialog - and the Columns Toolbar button which is
(normally) on the Formatting *ToolBar* and just allows a quick selection of
a number of columns.

Somehow you seem to have got the toolbar button version onto the Menu - if
you have it will show with an arrowhead at the right hand side of the menu
option.

The easiest thing to do to correct this is to Reset the Format Menu itself.
Do as you did before but this time, instead of clicking on Format and
looking for the Columns entry, *right* click on Format itself and select
Reset there.

 

[ctaz]

Hi Tony,
Well things are not looking good. I did as you had said and that is also
greyed out. I only have the same 3 choices( delete, Name, begin a group) to
select. But you are right I do have the columns with the arrow pointing to
the right. I hope you are not getting to fraustrated.
Thanks Ctaz

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

From the Tools menu, select Customize and on the Commands tab, select the
Format category. Now expand the Format item on the Word menu bar at the top
of the screen and then locate the columns item in the list of Commands for
the Format category in the Customize dialog and click and drag it onto the
expanded format menu.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP

 

[Tony Jollans]

Hi Ctaz,

Well, I don't know what you've got there then

If you can't Reset the Format Menu then I think somebody has done some
serious customization.

You can add the built in Format Menu back to the Menu Bar ..

Tools > Customize > Commands tab
Scroll down Categories (on the left) and select "Built-in Menus"
Click and Drag "Format" from the Commands (on the right) and drop it on the
Menu Bar.

Or you can add the (normal) Columns option to your existing Format menu ...

Tools > Customize > Commands tab
From Categories (on the left) select "Format"
Scroll down the Commands (on the right) to find "Columns"
Click and Drag "Columns" from the Commands
Hover over Format on the Menu Bar and when it opens up
Move down and drop "Columns" where you want it

Both the above options will give you apparent duplicates. To avoid
confusion you will probably want to delete the old versions ...

While the Tools > Customize dialog is open
Click and drag and menu option you don't want and drop it anywhere when the
cursor icon has an X at the bottom right.

 

[ctaz]

Hi Tony
Well I tried that and I get the same columns choice the the arrow on it. So
that did not work.
Thanks Ctaz

 

[ctaz]

Hi Doug
I did try that and I get the same thing a columns... with an arrow pointing
to the right giving me the choice of 1-4 columns and that is all I get. Any
other ideas

 

[Tony Jollans]

Hi Ctaz,

Well, you've got me beat. If the built-in Format menu under Customize is
incorrect, I guess you've got some kind of corruption. You could try
resetting the whole Menu Bar (Customize > Toolbars tab, Select Menu Bar and
press Reset) but I can't see that being different from replacing the Format
Menu.

Perhaps you should try to repair your installation (from Control Panel >
Add/Remove Programs).

Sorry I can't be more helpful but you've all but exhausted my bag of tricks.

 

[ctaz]

Hi Tony
You are never going to believe this but I did try the menu Bar to reset it.
I did this just by chance, I had not read your advice yet. and guess what it
worked. I thought what do I have to lose try it so I did. Then I went online
and saw your respone as what to do next, I guess we must have both been on
the same wave length. Because it worked. Thanks for all your help and for
being patient with me.
Cherie (ctaz)
Thanks a great deal, I have been trying to get this fixed now for about a
month. Thanks a million again

 

[Tony Jollans]

My pleasure!

--
Enjoy,
Tony

Hi Tony
You are never going to believe this but I did try the menu Bar to reset it.
I did this just by chance, I had not read your advice yet. and guess what it
worked. I thought what do I have to lose try it so I did. Then I went online
and saw your respone as what to do next, I guess we must have both been on
the same wave length. Because it worked. Thanks for all your help and for
being patient with me.
Cherie (ctaz)
Thanks a great deal, I have been trying to get this fixed now for about a
month. Thanks a million again