WD97: Can't Redefine Normal Style from Style Box

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Word 97, when you use the Style box on the Formatting toolbar to redefine the Normal style, Word applies the Normal style that you previously defined to selected text. Word does not prompt you to redefine the Normal style and overwrites any formatting changes you applied to the text.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you use the following steps:

1. Select text to which you applied the Normal style.

2. Apply new formatting to the text.

3. Click the Style box on the Formatting toolbar and press ENTER.

NOTE: This behavior does not occur when you use the Style box to modify other styles in Word 97.

WORKAROUND

To redefine the Normal style, do the following:

1. On the Format menu, click Style.

2. In the Styles box, select the style you want to change and click Modify.

3. Select the Add to Template check box if you want to permanently redefine the Normal style.

4. Click Format, and then click the attribute, such as Font or Paragraph, you want to change.

5. Click OK twice.

6. Click Close.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior is a design change that is intended to reduce problems associated with modifying the Normal style. Because most of the default styles, including the Header, Footer, Footnote Text, Heading styles, and so on, are based on the Normal style, when you redefine the Normal style, all of these styles are also redefined.