WD: Section Layout Formatting Changes When Pasting Section Break

ID: Q99740


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a


SUMMARY

When you copy a selection that contains a section break and paste it in a Word document, the text above the section break assumes the section-level formatting of the pasted section break. (Section-level formatting includes headers/footers, columns, section start setting, line numbers, margins, paper size, paper source and orientation, and vertical alignment.)

This is also true if you copy the last paragraph mark and paste it in a document because the last paragraph mark is an implied section break.

For example, if you insert a continuous section break in a document, section 2 is a continuous section. If you then paste a selection that contains a next page section break in section 2, section 2 becomes a next page section. Section 3 becomes a continuous section.

IMPORTANT: When you select text to copy and paste, remember that you are copying section-level formatting when you include a section break or the last paragraph mark in your selection. If you copy a selection that does not contain a section break or the last paragraph mark, section layout formatting is not affected when you paste the selection.


MORE INFORMATION

Similarly, when you delete a section break, the text that preceded the section break becomes part of the section that follows, and it assumes the formatting of that section. The following example, using a two- section document, illustrates this concept:

Section 1 is formatted for three columns and contains no headers or footers. Section 2 is formatted for two columns and contains a footer. If you delete the section break between the two sections, Word formats the entire document for two columns and places a footer on each page.
For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q180258 WD: What Happens When You Delete a Section Break

Additional query words: troubleshooting

Keywords : kbformat
Version : MACINTOSH:6.0; WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,1.1a,2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: September 28, 1999
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