problems changing default font in Word 2007

[djbehr]

Hi,

I am working on this problem in the context of a state-wide Vista roll-
out. In a nutshell, using the MS recommended method of changing the
default font isn't working for us (bringing up the font dialog box,
setting your preferred font, then hitting the default button). This
problem is consistent and repeatable.

I've found that if I use the styles dialog box (Ctrl+Shift+S, modify
button etc) and set it there, I can THEN use the above recommended
method from that point on.

I've worked a long time on this including scouring through Process
Monitor to see if I can isolate write failures to the disk or registry
that are made when a user is trying to set this.

Why does doing it the preferred way matter if the workaround works?

A. It should work
B. It is the way Word help will tell our thousands of users to do it.

I'll list possible variables below.

1. some local computer policies have been modified but I have taken a
look and can't find anything relevant (no group policies are being
pushed by the domain controllers at this time).
2. users are running with only User rights and with UAC off
3. users are logging in with domain accounts (it doesn't matter if I
log in locally with either local admin rights or not).

Thank you in advance for any help.

David

 

[Beth Melton]

Using the Font dialog box to change the default works for me along with
numerous other users. I'm not sure why you are encountering difficulty. The
modification you are trying to make is stored in the Normal template
(Normal.dotm) which should be located in the user's profile. Have you
verified your changes are being saved when you exit Word? To verify, in Word
Options/Advanced in the Save section make sure "Prompt before saving Normal
template" is selected.

If you are not seeing the prompt when you exit Word then, by chance, are you
also using Adobe's PDF Maker add-in? It's known to discard modifications
made to your Normal template.

Additionally, in response to your question on the preferred method and the
workaround, the preferred method modifies what is known as the Document
Defaults (new to Word 2007). This is different than modifying the Normal
style. The Document Defaults pass through Normal style so on the surface the
methods appear to be the same but if you modify the Normal style you also
subject yourself to a few style nuances/bugs that occurred in past versions.
Now that we can modify the Documents Defaults, which were previously
hard-wired in the application, that's the preferred method to use and the
bugs can be avoided.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[djbehr]

First, thank you for your help. I just read this and will try to do
some testing today.
Btw, sorry if I was unclear about something. This problem isn't
occurring for everyone, but there are multiple users.

Have you
verified your changes are being saved when you exit Word? To verify, in Word
Options/Advanced in the Save section make sure "Prompt before saving Normal
template" is selected.

I will try that first; that ought to help verify.

If you are not seeing the prompt when you exit Word then, by chance, are you
also using Adobe's PDF Maker add-in? It's known to discard modifications
made to your Normal template.

Yes, they are! This may be the exact problem. However, I remember
doing some testing from a fresh image that didn't have Adobe's PDF
maker and still had problems. I'll make the change to the advanced
options like you said above and see if that helps.

Thanks again,

David

 

[Beth Melton]

All the "Prompt to save Normal" option will do is help you determine if the
changes you are making are being saved -- it won't resolve the problem. If
you have the Adobe PDF Maker then that's the likely culprit. Additionally,
you no longer need Adobe to create PDF since Office 2007 now has PDF
capability integrated after installing the add-in:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...11-3E7E-4AE6-B059-A2E79ED87041&displaylang=en

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/


First, thank you for your help. I just read this and will try to do
some testing today.
Btw, sorry if I was unclear about something. This problem isn't
occurring for everyone, but there are multiple users.

Have you
verified your changes are being saved when you exit Word? To verify, in
Word
Options/Advanced in the Save section make sure "Prompt before saving
Normal
template" is selected.

I will try that first; that ought to help verify.

If you are not seeing the prompt when you exit Word then, by chance, are
you
also using Adobe's PDF Maker add-in? It's known to discard modifications
made to your Normal template.

Yes, they are! This may be the exact problem. However, I remember
doing some testing from a fresh image that didn't have Adobe's PDF
maker and still had problems. I'll make the change to the advanced
options like you said above and see if that helps.

Thanks again,

David