WD97: Format Painter Does Not Work with Inline Objects

ID: Q179245

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Format Painter to copy graphic attributes, such as fill color and line color, from one graphic to another, the graphic attributes are not copied.


CAUSE

The Float Over Text setting was turned off when the object was inserted into the document; thus, the picture was inserted as an inline graphic. The Format Painter cannot copy properties of inline graphics.


WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert the Graphic as a Floating Graphic

To insert the graphic as a floating graphic, follow these steps:
  1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File.


  2. In the Insert Picture dialog box, click to select the Float Over Text check box.


  3. Select the graphic file, and then click Insert.


Method 2: Change the Inline Graphic to a Floating One

To change the inline graphic to a floating one, follow these steps:
  1. Click the graphic to select it.


  2. Right-click the graphic and click Format Picture.


  3. Click the Position tab and click to select the Float Over Text check box.


  4. Click OK.


Method 3: Add Formatting Directly to the Inline Graphic

Depending on the effect you want, you can do one of several things to format the graphic.

To use the Format Picture dialog box, follow these steps:
  1. Click the graphic to select it.


  2. Right-click the graphic and click Format Picture.


  3. Select the appropriate settings on the Colors And Lines, Size, and Position tabs, and then click OK.


To adjust borders and shading, follow these steps:
  1. Click the graphic to select it.


  2. On the Format menu, click Borders And Shading.


  3. Select the appropriate settings for your border and shading and then click OK.



MORE INFORMATION

Graphic objects have two sets of properties: one for inline objects and one for floating objects. The Format Painter will copy only graphic attributes from the drawing layer.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q167738 WD97: Can't See or Manipulate Objects (and Other Odd Behavior)
Q161692 WD97: Problems With Float Over Text Objects
Q157773 WD97: Macro to Disable Float Over Text Property
Q155822 WD97: "Float Over Text" Check Box Checked If Paste Link Selected
Q170564 WD97: Pictures and Objects Inserted as Inline by Default in SR-1

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbgraphic kbdta word97
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: October 20, 1999
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