WD97: Linked Picture Doesn't Preserve Scaling Properties

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

Word 97 does not retain the scaling (size) information for a linked graphic. That is, the graphic reverts to its original size (100 percent).

NOTE: This also applies to other linked embedded objects.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

• The "Link to file" check box is selected (the check box has a mark in it).

  -and-

• The "Save with document" check box is not selected (the check box is clear).

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Word 97 Service Release 1 (SR- 1).

Use one of the following methods to work around the problem.

Method 1: Use This Method When Inserting New Graphics

Enable the "Save with document" check box when you insert the graphic by following these steps:

1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File.

2. In the Insert Picture dialog box, select the desired graphic.

3. Click the "Link to file" and "Save with document" check boxes so both have check marks. Then, click OK.

Method 2: Use This Method to Correct Graphics in Existing Documents

Use this method to correct existing graphics in existing documents.

1. Open the document.

2. On the Tools menu, click Options.

3. Click the View tab.

4. Enable the Field Codes check box.

5. Look in the document for INCLUDEPICTURE field codes.

6. For each INCLUDEPICTURE field code, locate and delete the "\d" switch.

7. With your insertion point still inside the field code, press the F9 key on your keyboard to update the field.

8. Save and Close the document.

Dim ofield As Object

   Sub FindField()
       ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes = True
       For Each ofield In ActiveDocument.Fields
           ofield.Select
           If ofield.Type = "67" Then 'INCLUDEPICTURE field
               With Selection.Find
                  .MatchWholeWord = True
                  .MatchSoundsLike = False
                  .MatchWildcards = False
                  .MatchAllWordForms = False
                  .Execute findtext:=" \d ", replacewith:=" ", _
                   replace:=True
                   .Wrap = wdFindStop
               End With
               ofield.Update
           End If
       Next ofield
       ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes = False
   End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Word 97 SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q172475
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

MORE INFORMATION

When you link a picture in Word 97 with the "Link to file" option in the Insert Picture dialog box, any changes you make to the size of the graphic will not be retained when the file is saved, closed, and reopened.

This problem only occurs when the "Save with document" check box is not selected.

NOTE: This problem is not influenced by cropping the graphic or selecting the "Float over text" check box.