WD2000: Hidden Text Appears in File Saved as Text

ID: Q206521


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 2000


SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, when a document containing hidden text is saved in Text Only format, text formatted as hidden text becomes visible.


CAUSE

When you save a document in Text Only format, all character formatting is lost from the document. Because hidden text is a character format, it is lost along with the rest of the character formatting.

To save a Word document as Text Only, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, click Save As.


  2. In the Save As dialog box, change the Save as type box to Text Only (*.txt).


  3. Click Save.


After you click Save, Word displays a message similar to the following:

<filename> may contain features that are not compatible with Text Only format. Do you want to save the document in this format?

  • To save, click Yes.

  • To preserve formatting, click No. Then save a copy in the latest Word format.


WORKAROUND

To prevent this problem from occurring, delete the hidden text before saving the file in Text Only format. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.


  2. On the View menu, click to select Hidden Text.


  3. On the the Edit menu, click Replace.


  4. Place the insertion point in the Find what box.


  5. Click Format and then click Font.


  6. Under Effects, select the Hidden check box and click OK.

    NOTE: The check mark should appear black. If the check mark is missing or unavailable (appears dimmed), click the Hidden check box until the check mark is black.


  7. Leave the Replace with box blank, and click Replace All.

    NOTE: If the No Formatting button is available when the insertion point is in the Replace with box, click No Formatting.


  8. Click Replace All.


Additional query words:

Keywords : kbdta wd2000
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: November 2, 1999
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