WD97: Format Callout Dimmed After Drawing Certain Callouts

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

The Format Callout button is not available (appears dimmed) in the Format AutoShape dialog box, when the callout you've selected is a Bubble callout.

STATUS

This functionality is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Word 97 has twenty callouts that you can use in a Word document. Callouts are used to focus the reader's attention to a particular part of the document. There are two types of callouts in Word: Line and Bubble.

A Line callout is a line box that has a leader directing the reader's attention to a specific area of the document. There are fifteen line callouts available, as follows:

   Line Callout 1
   Line Callout 2
   Line Callout 3
   Line Callout 4
   Line Callout 1 (Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 2 (Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 3 (Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 4 (Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 1 (No Border)
   Line Callout 2 (No Border)
   Line Callout 3 (No Border)
   Line Callout 4 (No Border)
   Line Callout 1 (Border and Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 2 (Border and Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 3 (Border and Accent Bar)
   Line Callout 4 (Border and Accent Bar)

   Rectangular Callout
   Rounded Rectangular Callout
   Oval Callout
   Cloud Callout

Inserting Callouts

To insert a callout, follow these steps:

1. On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Drawing.

2. On the Drawing toolbar, click AutoShapes, point to Callouts, and then click the callout you want.

3. Draw the callout at the desired location in the document.

Formatting Callouts

To format the attributes of a callout, follow these steps:

1. Using the right mouse button, click on one of the sides of the callout (a four-ended arrow should be present on the mouse pointer). This will bring up a shortcut menu.

2. On the shortcut menu, click Format AutoShape.

3. In the Format AutoShape dialog box, select the "Colors and Lines," "Size," "Position," or "Wrapping" tabs and select the settings you want for the callout.

4. In the Format AutoShape dialog box, click the Text Box tab. If the callout you selected is a Line callout, the Format Callout button is available. However, if the callout you selected is a Bubble callout, the Format Callout button is unavailable.

5. If the Format AutoShape button is available, click the button. In the Format Callout dialog box, set the Type and Options that you want for the Leader and Callout, and then click OK.