XL97: Text Copied from Microsoft Word Is Converted into Squares

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you copy text in a Microsoft Word document, and then paste the copied text into Microsoft Excel 97, some or all of the pasted characters may appear as square characters. If you reformat the pasted characters, they all appear as the same character.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if some or all of the copied characters are formatted with any of the following fonts

   Monotype Sorts
   Symbol
   Webdings
   Wingdings

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the Paste Special command on the Edit menu to paste the copied text into Microsoft Excel 97. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Word, select the text that you want to copy. On the Edit menu, click Copy.

2. Switch to Microsoft Excel 97. Select the cell or location in which you want to paste the text.

3. On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.

4. In the Paste Special dialog box, click Text in the As list. Then, click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.