Border or Shading Formatting Affects Multiple Paragraphs

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

Case 1

If you apply shading or border formatting to a single paragraph within a group of several consecutively bordered or shaded paragraphs, Word for Windows may apply the shading or border formatting to the entire group of consecutively bordered or shaded paragraphs.

Do the following to demonstrate this behavior:

1. Create a new Word document.

2. Press ENTER five times to insert five paragraph marks.

3. Select the five paragraphs.

4. If the Borders toolbar is not displayed, choose the Borders button on the Formatting toolbar to display it.

5. Choose the Outside Border button on the Borders toolbar.

6. Position the insertion point in one of the five paragraphs (nothing should be selected).

7. From the Shading list on the Borders toolbar, select a shading pattern such as 40%. Notice that Word applies the shading to all five paragraphs.

Case 2

Word behaves similarly when you remove border formatting or shading. If you remove border or shading formatting from one paragraph, Word may remove it from all the consecutively bordered or shaded paragraphs.

CAUSE

When you position the insertion point in consecutively bordered or shaded paragraphs but do not select anything, Word applies additional shading or border formatting to the entire group of paragraphs. Word also removes shading or border formatting from the entire group of paragraphs. By contrast, if you select some text in the group of bordered or shaded paragraphs, Word applies or removes the border or shading formatting only in the selected paragraphs.

STATUS

This is a design feature of Word. After you apply shading or border formatting to consecutive paragraphs, you can apply or remove additional shading or border formatting to all the paragraphs in the group by simply positioning the insertion point somewhere in the group of paragraphs.

WORKAROUND

If you want to apply or remove shading or border formatting in a single paragraph within a group of shaded or bordered paragraphs, select the paragraph or some text within the paragraph.