Ruler Is Incorrect for Paragraphs That Wrap Around Frame

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0, 6.0a

SYMPTOMS

Word for Windows moves tabs to the right when you insert a frame at the left margin. As a result, tabs in any paragraphs that wrap on the right side of the frame are offset to the right by the width of the frame plus the Distance From Text measurement.

However, Word does not display this adjustment on the horizontal ruler in page layout view; in other words, the tab does not align vertically with the tab marker on the ruler. For example, if you insert a 1-inch-wide frame with a .5-inch Distance From Text setting, and the paragraph that wraps around it contains a custom tab at 2 inches, the tab appears 3.5 inches from the left margin, even though the tab remains at 2 inches on the horizontal ruler (3.5 inches is the width of the frame plus the Distance From Text value plus the original tab setting [1 + .5 + 2]).

CAUSE

Word does not redraw the ruler to display margins and tabs that are adjusted when you insert a frame.

Note: This does not occur in Word 2.x.

Both Word 2.x and 6.0 reset tabs relative to the right side of the frame. For example, if you have a 1-inch tab, Word positions it one inch to the right of the frame. Word 2.x resets the ruler to 0 (zero) inches to reflect this adjustment, but Word 6.0 does not.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word 6.0 and 6.0a for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

Because the ruler does not accurately reflect the vertical position of tabs, it is difficult to set tabs for these paragraphs using the ruler. For these paragraphs, one of the following alternative methods may make it easier for you to set tabs:

Method 1 - Use the Tabs command on the Format menu. Your tab settings

           should be relative to the adjusted left margin, to the right of
           the frame.