Word XP formatting problem

[GriffithsJ]

I've recently installed Word XP and have found the following problem.



When I change the formatting for a particular section, for example having
the cursor within a particular paragraph and clicking the "bullet point"
button in the tool-bar, then EVERY paragraph in the document becomes
"bullet-pointed" (if that's a real word...). If I then press "ctrl-Z", the
document reverts so that only the original paragraph was bullet-pointed
(what I originally wanted to happen).



Is there a way to stop this "over-enthusiastic" formatting?



Thanks



Griff

 

[Opinicus]

When I change the formatting for a particular section, for example
having the cursor within a particular paragraph and clicking the
"bullet point" button in the tool-bar, then EVERY paragraph in the
document becomes "bullet-pointed" (if that's a real word...). If I
then press "ctrl-Z", the document reverts so that only the original
paragraph was bullet-pointed (what I originally wanted to happen).
Is there a way to stop this "over-enthusiastic" formatting?

I've experienced this behavior myself. In addition to bulleting it also can
occur with other formatting such as bold, italic, etc. If I recall correctly
it only happens with files I receive from other people. The problem seems to
be with the "end-of-paragraph" marks, which in Word are supposed to be a
combination of line feed + carriage return. A fix that usually works for me
is to go to the very beginning of the file, type control-H, and in both
"Find what" and "Replace with" enter "^p". (Don't include the " marks.) Now
click on "Replace all". Save the file and reopen it.

This usually solves the problem. If it doesn't then the only solution I've
found is to save the file as plain text (which loses all your formatting)
and then reopen it with Word. You may get a dialogue box asking you what to
do about carriage returns or something. Select the defaults.