Multiple-Page Table Rows Displayed or Printed Incorrectly

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SYMPTOMS

In Word for Windows, a table row that spans multiple pages may be displayed incorrectly in page layout view, and it may also print incorrectly. This usually happens when a row reaches three or four pages in length.

The following examples illustrate this behavior:

Example 1

In page layout view and print preview, Word may not display the text in column 2 on page 4 of a multiple-page row. If you switch to normal view, the table displays correctly. In this case, regardless of the view, the table prints correctly.

Example 2

A multiple-page table row may display correctly, but Word prints text from the top of one column in the bottom margin of the previous page; or Word prints text from one column again in the next column.

Example 3

Text near the bottom of a page prints again in the bottom margin of that page.

Example 4

The total number of pages displayed on the status bar may be greater than what actually exists in the document. In addition, page breaks may not be displayed in the right-most columns of the table.

-or-

The vertical scroll bar does not function. Dragging or clicking the arrows does not produce any results.

CAUSE

The display problems described in Example 1 above happen only in page layout view.

The printing problems described in Examples 2 and 3 above happen when the Background Printing option is selected. (To locate this option, choose Options from the Tools men, and select the Print tab.)

Some of the printing problems described in Examples 2 and 3 above happen if the table contains a blank column.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions 6.0 and 6.0a for Windows. This problem was corrected in Word version 6.0c for Windows.

WORKAROUND

Use any or all of the following methods to avoid this problem in your Word document:

Method 1: Use Normal View

For the display problem (Example 1 in the "Symptoms" section above), switch to normal view.

Method 2: Turn off the Background Printing option

1. From the Tool menu, choose Options.

2. Select the Print tab.

3. Clear the Background Printing check box and then choose OK.

Method 3: Add a blank line to each cell of a table

If your table contains any blank columns, fill each of them with paragraph marks or some other nonprinting characters. This prevents Word from printing text from another column in that column. When you use this method, you should also use the instructions in Method 2 above to turn off Background Printing.

Method 4: Switch to Print Preview

For Example 4 in the Symptoms section above, from the file menu, choose Print Preview. This will update the status bar but may not correct the way the Table is displayed.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 294-295