WD: Paragraph Numbering Causes Slow Scrolling

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

Large documents that contain a contiguous range of paragraphs that are formatted with any type of paragraph numbering, scroll slowly in Word. Line numbering also affects the speed of scrolling through the document; however, the impact is not as great as with paragraph numbering.

CAUSE

Because Word automatically updates numbers in a list, Word begins its count at the first number in the list and continues to the number that appears at the top or bottom of the screen, depending on the direction you are scrolling. The rate of speed at which the scrolling becomes slower varies with each system; however, contiguous ranges of approximately 100 numbered paragraphs generally mark the point at which the speed begins to gradually slow down.

This problem occurs with paragraphs formatted by choosing Bullets And Numbering from the Format menu as well as the Numbering button on the Toolbar, regardless of the numbering type (that is, multi-level, arabic numbers, roman numerals, or alphabetic formats).

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

If the numbering is not contiguous or is interrupted, scrolling speed returns until approximately 100 numbered paragraphs appear, at which time the scrolling speed begins to gradually slow down. To interrupt numbering, choose Stop Numbering from the shortcut menu.

NOTE: In Microsoft Word 6.x and 7.x, you cannot use this workaround if your paragraphs are formatted with heading levels, because you cannot apply the Stop Numbering property to heading level paragraphs.