Shadow Border Differences Between Word 5.x and Word 6.0

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0, 6.0.1

SYMPTOMS

When you open a Word 4.0 or 5.x for the Macintosh document in Word 6.0, shadow borders created in 4.0 or 5.x may have thicker shadows in Word 6.0. This may cause pagination differences.

CAUSE

Word 6.0 uses the same size shadow line as the line thickness. Therefore, a 3-point shadow line has a 3-point shadow, giving the border line a total thickness of 6 points. Word 5.x uses a fixed shadow line of 1 point, so a 3-point line creates a total border thickness of 4 points.

RESOLUTION

Instead of using the pre-set shadow border, format the bottom and right sides of the paragraph/table cell with a border one size larger than the border used on the top and left sides. This will create a shadow border of only 1.5 to 1.75 times the width of the thin sides. Word's built-in shadow border is exactly 2 times the thickness of the thin sides.

To apply a different line thickness, choose Border from the Format menu, click the right and bottom sides of the model, and apply a border one size larger than is used on left and top.

This could also be done with a WordBasic macro such as the example below. This example applies a .75-point border to the top and left sides of the paragraph and a 1.5-point border to the bottom and right sides.

WARNING: ANY USE BY YOU OF THE CODE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Microsoft provides this macro code "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

In Word, create a new macro, and enter the following:

   Sub MAIN()
      FormatBordersAndShading .TopBorder = 1, _
      .LeftBorder = 1, _
      .BottomBorder = 2, _
      .RightBorder = 2
   End Sub 

STATUS

This behavior is due to a design change that was made to maintain compatibility with Word for Windows and Word for Windows NT.