WD6X: Character Formatting Changes When Toggled at End of Word

• Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0, 6.0a
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

If you turn character formatting on or off while the insertion point is in the middle of a word, Microsoft Word reformats the entire word. For example, if you turn off the character formatting before you type a space between two words; Word removes the character formatting from the word you just typed.

This happens for any character format you can apply in Word from the Font dialog box (located by choosing Font from the Format menu) or by pressing key combinations (such as CTRL+B for bold or CTRL+I for italic).

CAUSE

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word. Whenever the insertion point is in the middle of a word, Word applies character formatting to the entire word. If you are adding a word to your document and then turn off the character formatting before you type the space between the two words, Word considers the text to be a single word.

This functionality is designed to facilitate formatting that you apply while you type as well as formatting you apply after you type.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, type a space after the word before you turn off the character formatting for that word.