Prevent Automatic Style Updates

[Gail]

Word 2003
I have styles heavily used in my document. Now I go back
to revise the document, and often it changes the styles
as I do. I do NOT want to automatically alter my
styles! Yes, I have the 'auto' feature unchecked in
the 'modify style' pop-up, as well as the 'Templates and
Add-ins' option.

In HELP, I came across the phrase regarding style
modify: "This option determines whether Microsoft Word
defines styles (style: A combination of formatting
characteristics, such as font, font size, and
indentation, that you name and store as a set. When you
apply a style, all of the formatting instructions in that
style are applied at one time.) automatically, but it
does not control whether Word updates a style that's
already been defined.

The last phrase bothers me... my styles ARE already
defined, and ARE being updated without my consent. Help
does not offer any solution to 'styles already defined'.

How can I LOCK down my existing styles, or get a
confirmation box to appear whenever it tries to update a
style?

thanks

 

[Allan S. Warrior]

Check to see if your styles are based on other styles that you are changing,
and verify that Tools|Autocorrect Options|Autoformat As You Type does not
have the options to allow Word to automatically assign heading styles or to
create styles as you type turned on. It sounds like another issue, but check
these while you wait.

 

[Guest]

My "Tools|Autocorrect Options|Autoformat As You Type" has
the 1) Built in heading styles, 2) bold & italic with
real formatting, and 3) define styles based on your
formatting options 'unchecked'. All other options
are 'checked'.

fyi... I have already checked for the latest updates for
Office.

Thanks
Gail

 

[Margaret Aldis]

How about the option Tools > Options > Edit 'Prompt to Update Style'. That
should be checked.

If you are using styles for your formatting, then I'd suggest you also turn
off all of the 'Apply As You Type' settings in AutoFormat As You Type.

 

[Guest]

Thank you! This now does not update the style, but
instead makes a new one. I like that solution MUCH
better! It still doesn't prompt me which I don't
understand.

Gail

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Are you seeing a new style or just style+formatting? If so, it's not really
a style, and you don't have to see it if you clear the option to "Keep track
of formatting" on the Edit tab of Tools | Options.