WD97: Formatting Lost, Symbols Appear When Opening Document

ID: Q186435


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


SYMPTOMS

When you open a document in Microsoft Word 97, no formatting is displayed, and square boxes and symbols may be interspersed throughout the document's text.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the Files Of Type setting (on the File menu, click Open) is "Recover Text from Any File," so that when you open your document, only the text is recovered, not any of its formatting.


WORKAROUND

To prevent only text from being recovered when you open your files and to open your documents in the format of Word documents, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, click Open.


  2. In the Files Of Type list, click Word Documents, or click All Files.



MORE INFORMATION

The "Recover Text from Any File" setting will remain until you change it back to either Word Documents or to All Files.

For additional information on this behavior, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q156573 WD97: How to Recover Text from Any File

Additional query words: convert conversion format formatting missing lost gone stripped squares corrupt damaged

Keywords : kbdta word97
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: October 19, 1999
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