The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Word for Windows versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b,
2.0c, 6.0
SUMMARY
In Microsoft Word for Windows, if you print white text on a shaded
black background (sometimes referred to as reverse video), the entire
paragraph may print as a solid black box.
MORE INFORMATION
The following are the two major reasons that white text on a black
background prints in black:
- The printer does not support white text. Most Hewlett-Packard PCL
Level 4 printers (or compatible printers) and dot-matrix printers do
not support the printing of white text. This includes all printers
that use the EPSON24.DRV, IBMPRO24.DRV, and HPPCL.DRV Windows printer
drivers.
-or-
- The printer supports white text, but the printer driver has an
incompatibility with 256-color video drivers. Some printer drivers
cannot print reverse text when a 256-color video driver is installed
in Microsoft Windows. A driver known to have this problem is the HP
LaserJet Series III driver HPPCL5A.DRV (versions prior to 3.85).
Installing HPPCL5A.DRV version 3.85, which ships with version 2.0 of
Word for Windows, or updating to version 3.86 of this driver corrects
the problem.
An application note containing the HP PCL/HP LaserJet III driver
version 30.3.86 for Windows version 3.0 is available. To obtain this
application note, call Microsoft Product Support Services at (425)
454-2030. The application note number is WW0505.
This information applies to version 31.3.89 of the HP LaserJet III
driver (HPPCL5A.DRV), which ships with Windows 3.1.
Note: updated versions of the hppcl.drv printer driver do not correct this
problem.
Workaround for Word 6.0:
- Select the text to be printed in reverse color of the background
- From the Format menu select Font and choose White from the Color
drop-down dialog.
- From the Format menu select Borders and Shading and choose the
Shading dialog tab. Choose the Custom button and in the Background
dialog choose Dk Blue.
- From the File menu select Print. Choose Printer. Choose Options.
select the option "Print Truetype as graphics". Choose OK
Workaround for Word 2.0:
- Select the text to be printed in reverse color of the background
- From the Format menu select Character and choose White from the Color
drop-down dialog.
- From the Format menu select Border and choose the Shading button.
Choose the Custom button and in the Background dialog choose Dk Blue.
- From the File menu select Print Setup. Choose Setup. Choose Options
select the option "Print Truetype as graphics". Choose OK
Reference(s):
"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide," version 2.0, pages 377-379,
459-460
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